Helena Hooper Simonton, the widow of the late Richard Simonton passed away peacefully July 31, 2016 in California after a brief decline in health. October 31 would have been her 99th birthday.

Helena and her husband, who was one of the founders of American Theatre Organ Society in the early 1950s, created an extraordinary home that overlooked the private Toluca Lake enclave in North Hollywood. It was in this home that a gathering of theatre pipe organ enthusiasts came together in February 1955 to form what is now ATOS. For over three decades Helena was the ultimate gracious hostess, welcoming countless people into their home that possessed a 4 manual 63 rank Classical pipe organ in the living room, and a specially-designed 4 manual 36 Wurlitzer installed in the lower level 63-seat Bijou Theatre. The theatre was a complete motion picture venue with two 35 mm and two 16 mm commercial projectors. A 'Who's Who' of Hollywood film stars, musicians and pipe organ enthusiasts from the world-over passed through the doors of their home. Most every Saturday night there would be a film show for family and friends with an organist (usually Gordon Kibbee or Gaylord Carter) entertaining at the organs.

Helena is survived by sons Richard Jr of Florida, Robert of Southern California and daughters Margaret Mitchell, Mary Beth Crane also of Southern California.

American Theatre Organ Society, August 4, 2016