Helena Anna Begraft

Born and raised in Mt. Arlington, New Jersey, she graduated in 1966 from Roxbury High School in Succasunna, New Jersey. She worked as a United States Postal worker for 27 years, retiring in 2013.

In life, Nean was a strong-willed whirlwind, hard-working, fiercely protective of her family and always willing to sacrifice for those she loved and cared for.

She simply loved DOING; whether crafting, gardening, playing slots, woodworking, holiday get-togethers with friends and family, cheating at pinochle, picnics and splashing around at the family bungalow on Lake Hopatcong, baking cookies with her grandkids, stopping at every garage sale she saw, playing bingo or tricky tray with her girls, gabbing with friends…she just loved life!

Nean was predeceased by her parents, Robert Begraft and Helen Muller; her sister, Sandra Hartman; and her granddaughter, Amanda Norton.

She is survived by her sisters, Roberta VanJaarsveld of Newton, NJ., Vickie Franklin and Kathy Muller, both of Chico, CA; her four children, Denise Swire and husband, Al of Mt. Bethel, PA, Daniel Norton and wife Elizabeth, of Fredericksburg, VA, Christine Sias and husband Tim, of Mt. Bethel, PA, and Robert (Hutch) Waldron and wife, Heather of Portland, PA; her grandchildren, Randy, Sami, Sarah, Gavin, Riley, and Harper, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00-4:00 PM on June 27, 2026, at Pub 199, located at 199 Howard Blvd., Mt Arlington, NJ 07856, (973) 398-7454.