HELEN RADLOFF GRIER's Obituary
Helen Radloff Grier, long time Miami-area educator, passed peacefully from this life at her home
in Coral Gables on October 18, 2002, at the age of 88. Born October 31, 1933 to early Miami
settlers Elmer and Helen Radloff, she was raised in the Shenandoah neighborhood of Miami,
and following graduation from Miami Senior High, went on to Stetson, where she immersed
herself in what would be a lifelong passion for drama, as well as her membership in Delta Delta
Delta sorority and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Teaching positions through her long career began in Miami at Shenandoah Elementary, before
teaching at Decatur High in Georgia and Powhatan High in Virginia. She returned to teach at
Miami High in 1983, where she also served as sponsor for the JV Cheerleaders. While
teaching, she also pursued a Library Science degree from the University of South Florida, and
subsequently joined the library staff at Miami High, ultimately being appointed head librarian in
1992. At the end of that year, she survived a sudden serious, month-long illness that left her
with no eyesight. Undaunted, she took on the amazing life skills training offered by the Miami
Lighthouse for the Blind, and with the support of friends and colleagues, returned to Miami High
as an assistant librarian, where she continued to serve until her retirement in 2002. She was
recognized following her retirement from Miami High as an honorary inductee into the Miami
High Sports Hall of Fame, for her inspirational speeches to the football team.
Prior to her vision loss, Helen balanced her role in academics with a parallel life as an
outdoorswoman. She was an active gardener, and while residing in Georgia, she could be
found on weekends rambling in the north Georgia mountains, hunting down unusual native
plants. Upon her return to Miami, she was blessed by the camaraderie of her colleagues at the
Miami Yacht Club, while engaging in her passion for solo sailing, including wins in several Key
Largo races.
Throughout her life, Helen kept her many friends, the Miami High Stingaree community, and her
Delta Delta Delta sisters close to her heart, and after losing her sight, Helen always remained
grateful for the Lighthouse, and for the many special friends that supported her in ways large
and small to maintain her independent living, and that accompanied her on events far and wide,
including regular attendance at the Coral Gables Actors Playhouse. And she always
remembered with special fondness those Miami High students that, while not necessary that
they do so, would transcend their teenage cares to reach out and offer her assistance in
navigating the stairwells between classes.
Helen is survived by her brother, John “Jack” Radloff (Velma), of Temple, Ga., and two sons
from her marriage to Barnard Grier: John of Richmond, Va and Timothy of Coral Gables, and a
granddaughter, Faith Lee Grier, of Coral Gables. A memorial service will be held Sunday,
October 30, at 11:30 a.m. at Van Orsdel, Coral Gables Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please
support Miami Lighthouse for the Blind in Helen’s memory (miamilighthouse.org).
What’s your fondest memory of HELEN?
What’s a lesson you learned from HELEN?
Share a story where HELEN's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with HELEN you’ll never forget.
How did HELEN make you smile?