Helaine Wilson Penn was born in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on December 4, 1928. She spent her childhood in Mississippi and completed her early education and secondary education there as well.

While in college, she met and fell in love with Frank Penn. They were married in St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Montclair, NJ on April 25, 1953. They found their forever home in Montclair in 1964 where they became part of the Montclair community becoming long-standing, devout parishioners at Saint Cassian Catholic Church. They raised their two children, Maurice Gregory and Cynthia Anne, in Montclair, who have since passed.

She had a career in education, putting her degree in early childhood education to good use. She spent time working in many schools in the Montclair area as a teacher.

Those that knew her well knew Helaine liked to look put-together. She often enjoyed getting her hair done and having fashionable purses. A few of her passions included square-dancing, walking, cooking, traveling with her husband, and spending time with family.

She leaves to mourn: her two grand-daughters, Deanna Chase (Matthew Chase) and Alicia Penn, and her great-grandchildren.