Helen Ecker Toubman Fuss, ‘Nanny’, passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2014. She was born on November 8, 1918 to Dr. Murray and Olga Ecker. She graduated from Simmons College in 1940 then married Isadore Toubman, who was a test pilot for the United States Army Air Corp who passed away during World War II in service to his country. They had one son, Michael. Helen then moved to West Hartford around 1947 where she met and married Isadore Fuss. They opened in 1949, owned and operated until it closed in November 1987, Creative Playtime on LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center. They also had a second location of Creative Playtime at the corner of Wells Road and the Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield for approximately 20 years. In 1973 she graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a Masters in Education. In 1974-75 she received an Elementary Special Educator Certification. Helen was active in the West Hartford Parent Teachers Association and worked many years at the Whiting Lane School book fair. She was a member of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, the Suburban Swim and Racquet Club in Bloomfield, and the Hartford Bridge Club where she earned her Life Masters. Around 1968 she attended Central Connecticut State College earning her Master’s Degree in Education. Helen then worked for the Bloomfield Public School System. Helen enjoyed traveling the world, reading, playing Scrabble, and playing Boggle with her grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Arthur Ecker M.D., and her husband Isadore, and daughter-in-law Donna Fuss. Helen is survived by son Michael Fuss, daughters Linda Cagney and Wendy (Russell) Smith and son Jonathan (Shari) Fuss. Her grandchildren Sean (Cora) Fuss, Jennie (Jeff) Asmar, Shannon (Jeff) Pizzi, Brian Cagney, Randi (Jack) Callahan, Andrew Smith, Chad, Brett and Austin Fuss. She is also survived by her eight great-grandchildren Sarenna, Lilia, Grace, Noah, Isabella, Sophia, Morgan and Sarah.
The funeral service will be graveside at Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Road, West Hartford on Sunday October 12, 2014 at 11:30 am. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford.
