Helen Heisler Dana

Helen Heisler “Marilyn” Dana, age 88 years, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Avalon at Hillsborough, Hillsborough, NJ, with her cherished and devoted daughters, Susan and Arlene, holding her hands.

Born on June 9, 1932 in New Brunswick, NJ, daughter of the late George C. and Myrtle Thompson Heisler, Helen was a lifelong resident of Edison, NJ, moving to Hillsborough two years ago.

A graduate of Oak Tree Elementary and then Metuchen High School in 1950, Helen went on to graduate from Washington School for Secretaries in 1952. Always ahead of her time, she went on to work in the executive offices at Johnson and Johnson and then worked for the Deans office of the College of Engineering at Rutgers University for more than twenty years until retirement. 

During this time, Helen also raised a family and made her mark on the world around her. Whether it was through volunteering at the First Presbyterian Church in Metuchen where she was a member for more than sixty years; driving for Meals on Wheels; or inspiring her daughters and their friends as a Girl Scout Leader; Helen was always on the go, living each moment to its fullest.

Later this year and in accordance with her wishes, her family will visit Lake George, New York, a cherished gathering place, for a private memorial to honor both Helen and her husband, Walter. There is no better way to celebrate their lives then to gather at this lake, in this beautiful part of the world, to share some old family memories and begin to make some new ones. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Dana; and by her siblings, George Heisler, Dorothy Heisler and Marion Koliontgis.

Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law, Susan Ella Dana and Ken Sanders and Arlene Elizabeth Flaim and David Flaim; her granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Flaim; her brothers, William, Jerry, and John Heisler;  several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Life celebration arrangements are private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Helen’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

To help those in need, is to honor Helen. Therefore, those who wish may make a contribution in her honor and memory to Meals on Wheels Metuchen-Edison-Woodbridge, 2 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

____________________________

Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”