WESTFIELD – A memorial service will be held on October 10th, 2026, to celebrate the life of Marjorie (Warriner) Hellstein. Marge passed away on August 12th at Vantage of Hampden Nursing Home at the age of 95.
The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church on 16 Court Street in Westfield followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery, West Springfield MA. We ask those attending to wear bright colors to honor Marge’s love of flowers.
Marge was born in Springfield MA in 1931 to Winifred (Wright) and Robert Warriner. She grew up in West Springfield graduating from West Springfield High School in 1949. She attended Garland Junior College in Boston (now part of Simmons College) where she graduated with an associate’s degree in early childhood development.
She spent most of her childhood on Ohio Avenue in West Springfield where she was surrounded by friends who stayed with her for her lifetime. In 1945, the Hellstein family moved in across the street from the Warriner’s, and she met the love of her life, Ted Hellstein. They were married after Marge completed college and were married 71 years until Ted’s death in 2024.
After marriage, Marge and Ted moved to Westfield where they raised their family. Upon moving to Westfield, she joined the First United Methodist Church and was an active member taking part in bible studies and membership teams and making great longtime friends, specifically Vi Martinell.
After raising her children, Marge worked three different jobs that she loved. First managing the Westfield State University bookstore making lifelong friends known as the “bookstore girls” (Johanne Mackertich, Pauline Popovich, Mary Pierce, and Ursula Touhey). She then spent time as a teller at Westfield Bank and finished her working career enjoying part-time work as a librarian at the Westfield Children’s Library.
She is survived by her three daughters Linda Thompson, Teri Hellstein, and Mary Beth Davidson, and son-in-law Ray Davidson. Her immense joy in life were her grandchildren Sam Davidson, Chris and Sarah Erck and great-granddaughter Riley Davidson. The news of a new great-grandson arriving in 2027 also brought a big smile. She also leaves a sister-in-law Jeanne Kennedy, and many nieces and nephews across the country.
Given Marge’s long life, she was predeceased by many members of her family and friends. She held a special place in her heart for her sister Joan Ryder and husband Bill Ryder. She also greatly missed her childhood friend, Barbara Allen Hellstein, who later became her sister-in-law when she married Ted’s brother Dick. And she had great memories of family times with Ted’s brother Tom and wife Katie as well as her brother-in-law Fred Kennedy and son-in-law John Thompson.
Thanks to her friends at Southwick Village and Armbrook Village who supported her and made her life brighter. Also, special thanks to her high school friend Norm Clo, whose frequent phone calls added a spark to her days until the very end.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Stanley Park of Westfield, 400 Western Avenue, Westfield, MA 01085 (https://www.stanleypark.org/support) or First United Methodist Church, 16 Court Street, Westfield MA 01085. Firtionadams.com
