It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Helen Barbar, widow of Jamil N. Barbar, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, educator and cherished friend. Helen passed away peacefully at her home in Portland, Oregon just days before her 86th birthday.

Born in Beirut, Lebanon on August 15, 1939, to Girgi Hayek and Linda Abu Shakra, Helen was the youngest of four siblings. She is survived by her sister, Leila, and brother, Elie. She is preceded in death by her brother, Riad, who she now joins in heaven.

Helen and Jamil shared over 60 years of partnership, love, and service. Together, they raised five children—Johnny (Nora Basha), Elisar (Michael Hare), Gaby, Sami (Molly Kollas), and George. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Jamil, Lynn, Eddie, Tessa, Mary, Wendy, Emma, and Ellie.

Helen’s early life in Lebanon was shaped by a deep love for learning and a strong sense of community. She began teaching at a young age at a boarding school in Kfarshima, and continued her career at several schools in Beirut including Atchinak, CTI, Nahda, and LESBG alongside her husband. Her commitment to education continued after immigrating to the United States in the early 1990s, where she taught ESL and French at Portland Christian High School, supporting countless international students as they adapted to life in a new country and culture.

Helen’s life in Lebanon was also marked by the trials of civil war. She and her family endured displacement, violence, and loss of properties and lives. Her father was tragically killed when a bomb hit their house. Despite these hardships, Helen’s resilience and leadership paved the way for her family’s eventual emigration to the United States, leaving her friends, job, and large extended family to build a new life rooted in hope and opportunity for her children.

In Portland, in addition to teaching, Helen and Jamil found joy in cooking, hosting large gatherings, harvesting produce from their abundant garden, and helping raise their grandchildren. She loved playing cards and board games, especially backgammon, sharing stories, and nurturing the bonds that held her family close. Her empathy and generosity touched everyone she met—whether through a warm meal, a kind word, or a helping hand.

Helen was known for her warmth and generosity, her extraordinary memory, her attention to detail, and her ability to recount history with clarity and warmth. She was a role model for women balancing career, family, and community.

Her final words reflected her deep love and spiritual conviction:
“I will live through you. Do good in the world. I see heaven and see you in heaven.”

Helen will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love.

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