Helen M. Galt

Helen M. Galt passed away at the age of 74 as a result of a snorkeling accident on Friday, February 18, 2022 in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1947 to Elizabeth and Thomas Jordan, she moved to NJ and married James "Chris" Galt in September of 1966. Helen proudly graduated from Rutgers University- Douglass College in 1969.
An accomplished businesswoman, Helen held the title of former Chief Actuary, Chief Risk Officer and Senior Vice President for Prudential Financial. Helen joined Prudential's actuarial program in the early 1970's at a time when women joining the program was highly unusual. She became Chief Actuary in 1993 and was the first woman to serve in that role. Helen was deeply committed to awareness of Actuarial Science as an educational discipline and served The Actuarial Foundation for many years in many different roles including on the Board of Trustees and as Board Chair in 2015. Most recently, she had been actively involved in planning for the annual Foundation gala to be held in May 2022. Helen was also deeply committed to the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College having served as a member of the Board and acting President. She devoted many hours to help the organization and was a consistent and generous donor. Her fellow colleagues and associates remember her as someone who strived for excellence, was always highly ethical, focused and supportive. She led with integrity and was soft-spoken, but could command a room. Her professional accomplishments were greatly admired and she served as a role model to many women and men who followed her. 
Helen stayed active taking frequent walks, exercising and golfing. She was also an adventurous spirit traveling to countless countries on various trips including a trip around the world in 2019. Her favorite locations included: Africa, Alaska, Easter Island, the Galapagos Islands, Petra, Angkor Wat and the Taj Mahal. She would regularly vacation with her immediate family including her daughter, son-in-law and beloved granddaughters in Turks & Caicos, the Poconos and Ocean City, NJ. A longtime resident of North Caldwell, NJ, she loved her gorgeous backyard and spent hours making it more beautiful. During the holidays she loved decorating with her famous and expansive Christmas Village. As a mother, she was loving, kind, thoughtful and patient. When she became a grandmother of twin girls, she was so thrilled that she instantly jumped in to help with their care virtually every day and spoiled them as much as she possibly could with love and attention. She was so devoted to her granddaughters that during the height of the pandemic, she taught them Kindergarten every weekday so they would be prepared for 1st grade.
Helen is survived by her husband, James, daughter Eleanor Galt-Lin, son-in-law James Lin, granddaughters Alexandra and Jordan Lin, and brother Thomas S. Jordan as well as many extended family members who will greatly miss her.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday, April 9th at Gaita Memorial Home, 154 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Little Falls, NJ. Remarks will begin at 12:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to The Actuarial Foundation Scholarship Fund at www.actuarialfoundation.org/scholarships/