Obituary of Helene Anne Gorayeb

Helene Anne Gorayeb (87) passed away peacefully at home on May 17, 2023. Born Nov. 11, 1935 in Van Buren, ME, Helene spent her childhood in Kedgwick, NB Canada. After attending boarding school, she began her professional career with Woodhouse in Montreal translating catalogs to French. She then moved to New York city where she worked for the Newspaper Association of American (NAA, formerly ANPA).  When NAA relocated to Reston, Virginia in 1972, she moved with them. A smart and fiercely independent woman, Helene’s tri-lingual knowledge (English, French and Arabic) served her employer well on many occasions, and she was highly regarded by her colleagues. Her career allowed her to travel extensively, one of her greatest joys. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and May (Akel) Gorayeb, her brother Eugene Gorayeb, her nephew Luc Gorayeb, her dear friends Diane Tabet and Eva Tennenhaus, and her beloved Harry Grayeb, the love of her life. Though she never had children, Helene’s friends became her family. Helene is survived by her devoted friend and “adopted” daughter, Elizabeth Kasabian and her family: husband Bob, daughters Emily (Brett), and Hannah (Tom); her wonderful aides Veronica and Victoria; nieces and nephew Denise, Marc (Karen) and Lise Gorayeb, and three great nieces; dear friends Carol and Raul Vasquez, Karie Faccone, Ghyneth Rowden, Kathy Brown and family, Nancy Osborn, Karen Speroni, Marie and Roger Smith, Carleen Kostick, and many more.  Helene was adored by all who came to know her and will forever be known for her delightful sense of humor, her courage, her generous heart, her love of cats, and her compassion for all. Funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Herndon, VA, May 31, 11:00 AM with a memorial luncheon to follow. Arrangements by Adams-Green Funeral Home, Herndon, VA.