Helen Tomaszewski

Helen, born March 18, 1931, was the daughter of Katherine Yacawych (1892-1968) of Gladyswozam, Horlyci, Halychyna in western Ukraine and Nicholas Warian (1892-1957) if Redityova, Horlyci, Halychyna in western Ukraine. Katherine and Nicholas, Baba and Dede to their grandchildren, came to the United States via Ellis Island circa 1911.

Helen was born in Yonkers, NY, where she was a member of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. She attended Roosevelt High School in Yonkers for two years, completing her high school education at St. Basil’s Academy in Fox Chase, PA.

Helen was a professed member of the Order of Saint Basil for a few years after high school, during which time she both followed a college course of study and taught grade school in several locations.

Helen is survived by daughter Joanne Helene Choly and partner Barbara Marie Smith of Stratford, CT; son John Nicholas Choly, Jr, of Provincetown, MA; son Michael Warren Choly, Sr, and wife Susan Minardi Choly of Naugatuck,CT; daughter Karen Elizabeth Tomaszewski of Clinton, CT; and daughter Michele Tomaszewski Kerr and husband Michael Kerr of East Haddam, CT. Helen is also survived by her sisters, Amelia of Bronx, NY, and Dorothy of Yonkers, NY.

Helen’s surviving loved ones include: grandchildren Michael Warren Choly, Jr, Andrew Joseph Choly, Kathryn Marie Choly, Sarah Elizabeth Stearns, Ethan Michael Kerr, and Nathaniel Thomas Kerr; Timothy Stearns, father to Sarah; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and others, both family and friends.

Helen was predeceased by her parents and by her husbands, John Nicholas Choly, Sr (1925-1961), and Stanley Dmytro Tomaszewski (1928-1996). Helen was also predeceased by siblings, John Warian, Peter Warian and wife Elizabeth, Mary Wesson and husband John, Julia Warian, and Rose Hlushko and husband Dmytro.

Helen was a wonderful mother, chef, seamstress, and homemaker. She imparted her love of learning and books to her children. Helen taught Vacation Bible School; she also worked at a number of jobs throughout the years. When in her 60’s she re-entered college where her studies included computers, drafting, art, photography and design.

In her later years Helen’s favorite activities included spending time with family and friends and using her computer for numerous activities, especially playing Free Cell, at which she was an undisputed expert. Helen was a wonderful photographer and loved sharing photos, including digitally as these technologies developed – we will be sharing her beautiful photos for years to come. Helen enjoyed working in many artistic media, including pastels and acrylics. Helen also loved travel, vacationing with family in Old Saybrook, in Maine, at East Hill Farm in Troy, NH, and at Walt Disney World in Florida.

A wake for Helen will be held at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, in Clinton, CT, on Monday, May 16, from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial for Helen will be held at St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, 54 Grove Street, in Clinton, CT, on Tuesday, May 17, at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Clinton, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross or the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital.