Helga Helene Noemer

Helga Helene Noemer (nee Stähle), beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and lifelong animal-welfare advocate, passed away of natural causes on September 12, 2021 at her home in Elkridge, Maryland. She was 91.

Helga was born in Stuttgart, Germany to Wilhelm Stähle and Helene Veigel. While she was young, her family moved to Feuerbach, a nearby suburb, where she attended the Bachschule and the Hohewartschule. Helga completed her education at the Zeppelin Gymnasium (a German academy) in Stuttgart.

In 1949, Helga married Ewald Alfred Noemer, a printing arts professional for the German film company, Agfa AG. When Ewald was transferred to Agfa’s American headquarters, the couple and their son, Raymond, emigrated to the United States. They arrived in New York City aboard the SS United States in August 1961 and settled in Dumont, New Jersey.

For many years, Helga worked for the family’s printing business in Englewood, NJ. She was a passionate animal-welfare advocate who helped found an animal-rescue organization and establish a spay-and-neuter program in Bergen County. Helga enjoyed traveling and toured much of the United States. She also made frequent trips to Germany and to her favorite island, Aruba.

Helga developed severe coronary artery disease in her late forties and underwent triple bypass surgery in 1977 at St Luke’s Hospital in New York City. At that time, her doctors thought this procedure would extend her life approximately ten years. Happily for those who knew her, she lived another 44.

Helga is survived by her husband, Ewald “Fred” Noemer; her son Raymond Noemer and his wife Janey Solwold; her three grandchildren Cristen Noemer, Kevin Noemer (and his wife Amelia), and Ryan Noemer, and her great-granddaughter Elina Noemer.

A private memorial service is planned at a future date.