Former teacher and beloved family matriarch Helen Goldberg Zerlin Sperling to be laid to rest on Monday
HELEN GOLDBERG ZERLIN SPERLING, a native New Orleanian and former teacher, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026, at the age of 97.
HELEN ZERLIN SPERLING
Born and raised above her family’s tailor shop on Rampart Street in downtown New Orleans, she was exposed to the Yiddish-speaking voices of her relatives and years later regaled her family members with her richly woven and entertaining stories of the bustling life on South Rampart Street, near an important area in the history of of jazz. She was given a unique viewpoint to the history of the Jewish community and to the city of New Orleans.
A graduate of Sophie B. Wright High School, she attended Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans. As a young woman, she first worked doing odd jobs in her family’s tailor shop, but. while she was devoted to helping her family, her true calling was teaching. After moving Uptown, she went on to become a popular substitute teacher, ultimately concluding her career at St. Rita Catholic School, just blocks from her Nelson St. home. It was there that she touched the lives of countless students with her patience, kindness, and dedication. She loved to discuss what she learned about Catholicism and enjoyed helping her colleagues, including the nuns who worked at the school to learn more about Judaism and what it meant to her.
When she was 20, she met the love of her life, Maurice Zerlin. They fell deeply in love and were married in 1951, blessed with three daughters. Later, after he had passed away, she was set up on a blind date with a widower, Jac Sperling. The two became a couple and were married until the time of his passing in 1998. She became a dedicated mother all over again.
Helen’s dedication to her Jewish identity, and to the New Orleans Jewish community was a testament to her unwavering commitment. She was at first a dedicated member of Chevra Thilim Synagogue and, after meeting Jac, affiliated with Temple Sinai.
She had a lifelong love of music and musicals, which she shared with her children, and, later in life, enjoyed cozy afternoons watching Hallmark movies. She never missed reading the Times-Picayune. Above all, she cherished her family — her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — who were the greatest joys of her life.
While her passing has left a void in her family’s hearts, her memory will be forever cherished; her stories laughter, and love will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
She was predeceased by her two beloved husbands, Maurice Zerlin for 36 years, and Jac Sperling for 8 years. She is survived by her three daughters, Janet Zerlin Fagan (Mark) of Boston, MA, Kathy Zerlin of Boston, MA, and Nancy Zerlin Krinsky (Larry) of Slidell, Louisiana; her step-daughter Gay sperling Boasberg (Jack) and step-son Jac Sperling (Mary Greisedyck); six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren, four great=grandchildren and five step-grandchldren.
The funeral service will take place at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard, on Monday, February 9. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. A service will be conducted from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the chapel, followed by a graveside service at Chevra Thilim Memorial Park, 5000 Iberville Street. Temple Sinai Senior Rabbi Daniel Sherman of Temple Sinai officiate.
Following the burial, a reception will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home beginning at about 2:00 p.m.in the event center. Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kindly omit flowers. Memorial donations are suggested to Temple Sinai, 6237 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA. 70118; Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, 3737 W. Esplanade N., Metairie, LA. 70002; or Chabad Jewish Center of Suburban New Orleans (Metairie), 4141 W. Esplanade N., Metairie, LA. 70002.
