Helena Pinto, manager for Binswanger firm

Helena Hoffman Pinto, 66, of Burlington Township, an award-winning senior transaction manager for Binswanger, the Philadelphia commercial real estate firm, died of lung cancer Saturday, Feb. 6, at Samaritan HealthCare and Hospice in Mount Holly.

In 2015, Mrs. Pinto earned the Holmes Davis Award, named for a stalwart of the company.

David R. Binswanger, its president and CEO, said in an interview that the award is "the firm's most prestigious, honoring long-standing service."

In a statement to employees about Mrs. Pinto, Binswanger wrote that "no matter what time you left the Philadelphia office in the evening, it was likely you were doing so before Helena.

"In one way or another," he wrote, "she has helped every Philadelphia-area office broker that has worked here" during her 15 years with the firm.

"But more important than all her hard work is the role she played as matriarch of the division. Every commercial broker was one of 'her guys.' "

In the interview, Binswanger said Mrs. Pinto "was in this business for probably 35 years and, throughout the commercial real estate community, she was widely known and loved."

Over her career, he said, "she worked for several of the leading commercial real estate firms," such as the Flynn Co. and the former Kennedy Wolfington Co.

Lisa Quinn Dickinson, a friend of Mrs. Pinto's who is administrative assistant to cochairman John K. Binswanger, said, "She was loyal, trustworthy, compassionate, and always fun."

Born in Burlington Township, Mrs. Pinto graduated from the township high school in 1967 and earned a real estate license, though her son, John Jr., said she was not an agent during her career.

Besides her son, Mrs. Pinto is survived by her husband of 48 years, John Sr.; son Vince; a sister; and two granddaughters.

Viewings were set from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, and 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 12, at Page Funeral Home, 302 E. Union St., Burlington, before an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Paul's Church, 223 E. Union St., Burlington, followed by interment at Laurel Hill Cemetery there.

Donations may be sent to Samaritan HealthCare and Hospice Inpatient Center, 175 Madison Ave., Mount Holly, N.J. 08060.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.pagefuneralhome.com.

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