Helen Kowzun Giliberto

Helen was born on December 10, 1948, in Hanover, Germany. She was the daughter of the late Alexander and Paulina (Dunko) Kowzun. Helen and her family immigrated to the United States in February 1952, initially making their home in Gary, Indiana. Eventually they settled in Hartford. Helen was a graduate of Hartford Public High School, Class of 1967.

Helen’s deepest devotion was always to her family. She married the love of her life Paul, in June of 1970, and within a year they joyfully began building their family together. Helen embraced her role as a stay-at-home mother with pride and purpose, dedicating herself fully to raising her two sons, Joe and Paul Jr. She was a constant presence in their lives, especially at their games, where her voice could always be heard “cheering” them on as their most enthusiastic and unwavering supporter. Later in life, nothing brought Helen greater happiness than becoming a grandmother. She treasured every moment spent with her grandchildren, delighting in their laughter and eagerly planning their next exciting adventure together.

As her sons grew older, Helen returned to school, demonstrating the same determination she brought to every aspect of her life. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a degree in Finance and went on to build a successful career in higher education. Over the years, Helen advanced to the position of Director of Finance and Administration at Charter Oak State College, where she was respected for her dedication, professionalism and integrity.

Beyond her career, Helen was deeply involved in her community. She served as an officer of the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion, Post 8 in Hartford, where she formed lasting friendships and, together with Paul, enjoyed attending the organization’s monthly dinner dances. Helen also found great joy in knitting, especially hats for premature babies. Alongside her sister, Stasha, they lovingly knit and donated over one hundred of the tiny hats to

local hospital NICUs. A woman of strong and abiding faith, Helen was a longtime and devoted member of All Saints’ Russian Orthodox Church in Hartford, working the weekly bingo and the annual fundraising bazaar.

In addition to her husband Paul, Helen will be missed by her sons, Joseph Giliberto and his wife Angela of Rocky Hill and Paul Giliberto, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Alpharetta, GA. She will be especially missed by her cherished grandchildren Paul and Andrew of Rocky Hill, and Tucker, Cooper and Harper of Alpharetta. Helen is survived by her brother Theodore “Ted” Kowzun and his wife Anita of Newington; sisters-in-law Lena Lonero and Teresa Giliberto and her husband Carmelo, all of Rocky Hill, and Patricia Giliberto of West Hartford; as well as her brother-in-law, Salvatore Giliberto of East Hartford. In addition, she leaves many special nieces, nephews, godchildren and dear friends.

Along with her parents, Helen was predeceased by her sister, Stanislawa “Stasha” Church and her brothers, John Kowzun and Walter Kowzun, sisters-in-law Ellie Kowzun and Tina Teodoro as well as her brothers-in-law, Joe Giliberto, Joe Lonero and Frank Teodoro.

At Helen’s request, services will be private. The D'Esopo Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com