Helena Katherine Gordon

Helen was the daughter of the late Catharine (Stempien) Orzechowski and Adelbert Orzechowski, both originally of Austria. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Wayne Wesley Gordon of Patchogue, Long Island, New York, with whom she had been married since 1957. She was also predeceased by her loving twin sister, Cecilia S. Orzechowski and her five other siblings: Joseph, Michael and Walter Orzechowski, and Sophie Uryase and Jennie Carlstrom.

Helen was a 1945 graduate of New Britain High School, and was employed by The Fafnir Bearing Company, a division of Textron, Inc., in the payroll department, followed by her employment with the State of Connecticut.

In her earlier years, Helen was an avid volunteer. She dedicated her time to missions in which she believed, including the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross and Girl Scouts of America. Helen and Wayne had always been life-long staunch Republicans, involved in campaigning for individuals and friends, to whom they passionately endorsed, throughout the State of Connecticut.

Helen and Wayne were also benefactors of the New Britain Industrial Museum, the Mooreland Hill School, the Kingswood-Oxford School, Xavier and Mercy High Schools, the University of New Hampshire (Durham), Iona College in New York, along with Myriad Charitable Organizations.

Helen and Wayne had together been long-standing and devout parishioners of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in New Britain.

She is survived by her only child, Susan Gordon Gates, and her two grandchildren, Graham Gordon Gates of New York City and India Augusta Gates, of New Britain,

and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, as well as, great grandnieces and great grandnephews.

Helen was disciplined and very strict, and always strived to be the best mother she could be. She had been a wonderful wife, grandmother, sibling and beloved aunt and grandaunt to several family members.

Helen was an elegant, beautiful woman with exquisite taste in all things artistic and cultural, with the best sense of design and etiquette who always valued beauty, in all of its forms. She believed in the excellence of everything, especially among education, higher learning, music, art, sports and other passions - such as travel, and the ocean. She enjoyed summers on Cape Cod, and also at the family home on Long Island.

Helen, along with Wayne, offered everything for the development of their daughter and grandchildren, and loved nurturing and cultivating their talents, and interests, exposing them to everything…

Until she was 86, Helen walked 5-6 miles faithfully and famously, in Walnut Hill Park, daily, regardless of inclement weather.

She will be remembered for her wild sense of humor, sharp tongue, quick wit and spirited playfulness with her grandchildren and her nieces and nephews. Much to everyone’s chagrin, she always called a “spade-a-spade.” That was her life’s mantra.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, December 27, at 5pm at New Britain Memorial - Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Avenue.

Helen’s final resting place will be near the family home on Long Island. For Directions and Online Condolences please visit newbritainsagarino.com