Helen Anne (Zuhoski) Frey

We celebrate the life and love for Helen Anne (Zuhoski) Frey, who passed away unexpectedly on March 14, 2025. Born on August 2, 1938 to Thomas and Mary Zuhoski, Helen was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother of two, grandmother of three, aunt of seven and friend to all.

Helen is pre-deceased by her loving husband of 39 years, Stephen Frey. She is survived by her daughters, Veronica (Frey) Fenerty and husband John, Stephanie (Frey) Robinson and husband Donovan, Gammy to Donovan J. Robinson and wife Tessa, Granny to Morgan (Fenerty) Sharadin and husband Matthew, and Gammy to Victoria Robinson. She is the loving aunt (and second mother) to her nieces and nephews, Jean Marie Barone, Joanne Mills, Giulio Imbrogno, Thomas Imbrogno, Nancy Hiller and husband Sean, George Imbrogno, Debra Hoffman and husband Brian.

And what a life Helen had! She grew up in Flushing Queens, New York. Her early career started in Manhattan as a secretary for Kresge and Western Electric. One Saturday afternoon, while sitting on her front stoop, she caught the eye of the handsome Embry Riddle aeronautical student Steve Frey. After a short courtship, they married in 1957 and bought a new home in Commack, L.I., NY, to raise their little family. Mom was stunningly beautiful, always dressed to perfection, and she was an amazing homemaker. Like Betty Crocker, our home was immaculate, and meals cooked to perfection. We were so proud when the neighborhood kids said our mother looked like a movie star, and our home always smelled like her perfume. Mom was active in our lives too, often the class mother, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. We were also well dressed, and mom always had a snack waiting for us after school. She was always the “fun mother” in the neighborhood. Our mother was our biggest role model and even bigger supporter. It was a wonderful life because of her.

Dad’s career brought us to the Philadelphia suburbs in 1973. Soon after, mom and dad opened an autobody shop in West Chester. Mom ran the front office, in addition to assisting in the shop. She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. They grew the business to include private airplane building and like Rosie the Rivetter, mom was right there riveting airplane wings!

Mom was smart beyond words. She could build rototillers from scratch or take delinquent renters to court. We never knew how strong she really was until she was tasked with being dad’s in-home caregiver during his final days. Soon after, she started her new career at Main Line Health in the IT Department. Wherever she went, she was the life of the party, and her sense of humor was second to none.

At the tender young age of 86, mom still maintained her home and handled all of her finances and investments. Her memory recall was incredible! She could tell you what the stock market was doing, participate in any current event and she was a whiz at sudoku and cryptoquotes!

And mom had the gift for gab! Anyone she encountered became a friend. Those who were lucky enough to have mom as their friend knew the funny, kind, warm woman who was quick to give a compliment or the shirt off her back. A simple trip to Wawa for milk turned into an hour-long conversation with random strangers. She always saw the best in people and made them feel good. It didn’t take long for the pictures to come out of her wallet; her world revolved around her girls and grandchildren!

One great memory between Gammy and Donovan was when we would go to her house for a visit. When we were leaving, Donovan would put down the car window and say “Scare me Gammy! Scare me!” Gammy would make a face like a lion and put up her “claws” and walk over to the car. Everyone would scream, and then laugh! It was the highlight of the visit!

One great memory between Gammy and Victoria was the time when Gammy was watching her when she was 2 years old. Gammy went outside to put some trash in the trash can, and within 30 seconds, Victoria locked Gammy out of the house! Gammy frantically checked all the doors, and they were all locked! Gammy looked through the sliding glass doors and found Victoria standing on the coffee table with a handful of pens! Gammy ran next door and called Stephanie at work to come home and open the door. Stephanie made it home from work in 10 minutes flat, and the day was saved! Gammy didn’t put trash out any more after that!

One great memory between Granny and Morgan was the time Granny waited for Veronica to be out of town on business, then took Morgan driving at the high school before she even had a driver’s permit! Another exciting memory was when Granny won money in a local raffle, fanning it out perfectly and sharing some with her. When Morgan was 1 year old, Granny was babysitting. I came home and to my surprise, saw Morgan’s curly hair quaffed with amazing ringlets, with a big curl on the top of her head! Granny used her fingers to create the masterpiece, just like her mother did!

But perhaps mom’s final achievement and selfless act of kindness on this earth was being the advocate for all the rehab patients during Lent. Like God’s disciple, this beautiful woman full of elegance and grace, orchestrated the request of a priest to distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday, as well as Communion on Sundays. There were over 20 grateful recipients of this extraordinary act of faith.

To mom’s wonderful neighbors, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for being our second set of eyes watching over her and keeping us in the loop, offering help whenever needed. Mom touched many lives, and her legacy will be forever missed and never forgotten.

We love you mom. You are the new beacon of light in God’s kingdom and are home again with dad and your family. We know you will be sucking on your favorite peppermints, together with your Boscov’s fudge and Reece’s peanut butter cups. And you will raise your glass and salute to heaven with your favorite Peach Bourbon!