Skip to main content

Helen S. Rattray, Longtime Star Editor and Publisher, Dies at 90

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 14:45

Helen S. Rattray, the former longtime editor and publisher of The East Hampton Star, died early Wednesday morning at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport.

Ms. Rattray, who was 90, became associate editor of the paper in 1976 and took over as editor in chief in 1980. Her "Connections" column appeared in The Star for 43 years, until 2020. 

A memorial gathering and celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m. at Ashawagh Hall in Springs, with a potluck lunch to follow.

Villages

Beware Larval Ticks and the Troubles They Bring

During August, September, and even into October, “tick bombs,” concentrated groupings of larval ticks, could be anywhere, and the larval lone star ticks are likely a main cause of the increasingly prevalent alpha-gal meat allergy. 

Aug 20, 2026

Reading the Global Economic Tea Leaves

According to many metrics, the American economy is doing extraordinarily well, yet most voters say they are worse off under President Trump. Artificial intelligence is driving a strong bull market, but it could also kill us all. 

Aug 20, 2026

A Mulford Teapot Comes Home

Made by Elias Pelletreau for David and Phoebe Mulford in 1751, a long-gone silver teapot takes a turn under glass at the Mulford Farm on James Lane.

Aug 20, 2026

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.