Mary Helen (Connolly) Lewis

1929-2017

Mary Helen Lewis (nee Connolly) of Lakewood, NJ, passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 87 on January 6, 2017.

The daughter of James J. and Frances B. (Pfeiffer) Connolly, she grew up in Bergenfield, NJ, the third of 4 sisters. After graduating from St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, she attended Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated as an R.N. in 1950. Early in her career as a nurse, Mary Helen enjoyed exploring different locales and worked in Florida and California, as well as Manhattan. She eventually settled back in Bergenfield, where she married and raised her two children. Although she sometimes worked in hospitals, she dedicated much of her career to the care of the elderly in nursing homes.

A lover of words, Mary Helen worked on several novels over the course of the years, not necessarily with the intention of publishing, but for the sheer enjoyment of writing! She loved her home and was always redecorating, creating little “theme” corners around the house. She was an independent thinker, with strong (and not necessarily mainstream) opinions on many subjects! Her adored grandchildren enjoyed the many unique and interesting gifts they received from her over the years.

Mary Helen is survived by her sisters, Bernadette Nolan (and husband John Nolan) and Joan Connolly. She was the beloved mother of Mary Claire Lewis (and husband Paul D’Urbano) and James J. Lewis as well as the loving grandmother of Alexander Weite, Sarah D’Urbano and Alexander, Marcus & Debora Lewis. She was predeceased by her sister, Maureen Connolly, in 2015.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 from 1-3 PM at the D’Elia Funeral Home, Route 70 & Vermont Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Interment will be private.