Helena Bialko

Helena (Smolen) Bialko, 100, widow of Jozef Bialko since 1969, of New Britain, passed away on May 16, 2011 at the Brittany Farms Health Center after a long illness. Helena was born in Ladzin, Poland on September 23, 1910 to Wojciech and Julia (Oberc) Smolen. She was one of ten children. She attended school through grade five and then worked in the fields. In 1935, at the age of 25, she married Jozef Bialko, Helena’s brother, Father Frank, Married Helena and Jozef in Poland. The wedding was small; she had 4 bridesmaids, her sister, Czeslawa, best friend Czeslawa, friend Stefania and Jozef’s neighbor. In those days only single women were allowed to be bridesmaids. Jozef’s sister was married, therefore she was not able to be a bridesmaid. Their marriage was arranged by their parents. They had five children: Jan, Kazimierz, Stanislaw, Maria and Zofia.

In 1964, Helena and Jozef came to America with Maria and Zofia, so they could make a better life for themselves. They arrived in Cohoes, NY and stayed briefly with her sister, Catherine. Nine months after they arrived, their son Stanislaw arrived and they moved to Connecticut. Helena’s brother Stanislaw Smolen lived in New Britain at the time so they stayed with him briefly. Many years later Kazimierz and Jan joined them in New Britain with their families. Until this day, most of the family lives here in New Britain, Connecticut.

In 1969, she had to deal with the unfortunate loss of her beloved husband of 34 years, but Helena was determined to make her American dream come true. She worked very hard and was very helpful to everyone. Helena worked at Budney Industries, also as a seamstress in a local business and at New Britain General Hospital. She retired from New Britain General after 8 years of service at the age of 68. In 1975, Helena went back to Poland to visit her family and friends. This was her first trip back to see her family since she left to America in 1964. A proud mother and grandmother, it was her greatest joy to help raise many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren over the years. She loved to read, cook and pray the rosary. Her favorite food was Kapusta (cabbage), Barszcz (beet soup) and Zerek (white oat soup). She loved flowers, especially African Violets. Her favorite colors were; blue, green, teal and aqua. Up until 5 years ago, she lived on her own in New Britain. Helena was also a long time, devote parishioner of Sacred Heart Church.

She is survived and will be dearly missed by her devoted children: Jan Bialko, Stanislaw and wife Elzbieta Bialko, all of New Britain, Maria Magyer of Lisbon, Zofia and husband Leon Szymczyk of South Windsor and Kazimiera (Danuta) Bialko of New Britain: her sisters; Cecelia Klekawka, Sr. Heromina and Sr. Anatola Smolen, all in Poland, her precious grandchildren; Robert and Elzbieta Bialko, Anna Bialko, Jadwiga Bialko, Rob Soucier, Teresa and Robert Newfield, Ewa Boisvert, Piotr and Malwina Bialko, Bozena and Kevin Bohouth, Marek and Lisa Bialko, Bogdan Bialko, Andrzej and Donna Gromek, Richard and Amy Gromek, David and Rebecca Magyer, Elizabeth, Julian and John Szymczyk: her sweet great grandchildren: Julie, Tomasz, Ashley, Matthew, Olivia, Alexandra, Monica, Beata and Daniel Bialko; Sarah, Melissa and Brandon Soucier; Rachel and Christian Bahouth; Amy and David Newfield, Isabella Boisvert, Amenda, Nathan, Christopher and Justin Gromek, David and Cole Magyar and Daniella Natale, 3 great great grandchildren: Cameron, Bryanna and Jackson and many nieces and nephews.

Helena was also predeceased by a son, Kazimierz, daughter-in-law, Danuta, a grandson, Janusz and granddaughters; Agata and Maria, great granddaughter, Kendra, brothers: Jozef, Stanislaw, Frank, Ks. Andrzej, and sisters; Maria Kurkalewicz and Catherine Jacon.

Funeral Services will begin Friday, May 20, 2011 at 8:30am from the New Britain Memorial- Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain followed by the funeral liturgy at 9:30am in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday, May 19, 2011, 5-8pm at the funeral home. For directions or express an online tribute please visit www.newbritainsagarino.com.