Rowley - Rowley - Longtime Rowley resident, Helen Streiff Dobbins, died peacefully on May 29th, 2025 at Parker at Monroe in Monroe Township, NJ. Born on December 28, 1936 in Ipswich, MA to Eric Streiff and Elizabeth (Sornborger) Streiff, Helen spent what by any account could only be described as an idyllic childhood growing up in Rowley. Winters were spent playing in the snow with one of the ever present dogs and skating on the family's Central Street pond. During warmer months, she gained invaluable knowledge about plants from her horticulturist father, and summers were for visits to the family's property in Guilford, NY with her beloved aunts. After graduating from Newburyport High School, she attended Boston University, where she earned a BS in Nursing. She would often return to Rowley for visits and it was on one of these occasions, while returning to Boston, that fate would intervene and seat a young sweaty rugby player next to her on the bus who would change her life.

Helen married that young man, Robert Dobbins, in 1960. After residing briefly in Boston, they settled down in Westfield, NJ, where together, they raised a family including a son, Jonathan, and two daughters, Jennifer and Melissa, until Bob's untimely death in 1983. While the children were young, Helen paused her career to be a stay at home mom, during which time she was actively involved in the kids' activities, ever reliable as a class mother and den leader, and amongst the neighborhood children, enjoyed a reputation as the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich maker. Once her children were a bit older, Helen returned to nursing, a vocation that she loved. After working as a nurse at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ, Helen took on a new challenge at Runnells Rehabilitation Hospital in Berkeley Heights, NJ, where she spent the majority of her career as a nurse administrator until her retirement. Helen found love a second time in life, marrying Gerald Quinn in 1988 and enjoying 11 years together until his death in 1999.

Helen made a major life decision in 2006 and returned home to Rowley, where, in addition to renewing past acquaintances, she made new friends through her volunteer work with the First Congregational Church, the Rowley Grange, and the Rowley Historical Society. She was also able to put into practice her long ago developed love of gardening in her backyard, where colorful summer flowers gave new purpose to an unused pool. In addition to her inherited horticultural interest, Helen was an avid reader and a doll collector, devoting a large bedroom to her assortment of dolls and children's toys. Her appreciation of antiques was also evident throughout her house. Helen will be remembered for her warm smile and her kindness to everyone she met. Her family is thankful to all of the caregivers who helped make her final years joyful and comfortable, particularly to Kerry Detora, whose compassion and love made a world of difference.

Helen was predeceased by both of her parents, both of her husbands, and her daughter, Melissa. She is survived by her son Jonathan Dobbins and his wife, Fran; her daughter, Jennifer Layman and her husband, Donald and her grandchildren, Liam and Aidan Dobbins and Ariana Padilla Campo and her husband Anthony. She is also survived by her brothers Eric Streiff and Samuel Streiff and his wife, Deborah, as well as several nephews, nieces, and her sweet little dog, Nesse.

Helen's funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Rowley, 175 Main St., Rowley, on Friday, June 6, at 1:00pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours prior to the service at the Campbell Funeral Home, 6 High St., Ipswich, from 11:30am-12:30pm. Burial in the Rowley Burial Ground. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to remember Helen with a donation to the charity of your choice. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.