The servant of God Helen peacefully fell asleep in the Lord surrounded by her children on July 30th at the age of 91. Born in Bridgeport, CT she was a resident there for over 50 years, moving to Huntington CT in 1981 and then to Somers, CT, in 2004. Most recently, she resided in Somerset, NJ.
A graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, she was employed at Bridgeport Hospital until her marriage to the late Chester Andrzejewski, Sr. in 1947. After a short period of residence in Ohio, they returned to Connecticut. Helen was the quintessential mother and homemaker, the foundation of her family and her children’s blessings. Her world revolved around Chester Jr. and Sharon Mary. With the passing of her beloved husband, she resumed work at Roncalli Nursing Home in Bridgeport, CT. For 25 years, she tirelessly served as a medical administrative assistant caring for the elderly. Her compassion and faith enabled her to perform this duty with enthusiasm, kindness and devotion.
A life-long member of Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church, she participated in Russian School, Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), Orthodox Youth Education, Women’s Guild, Sr. “R” Club, and Choir. There was no mistaking that Faith and Family were the core values that guided her life and the ones she inspired in others. Upon moving to Somers, CT she also worshipped at All Saint’s Orthodox Church in Hartford, CT maintaining an active presence there and enjoying her grandchildren and retirement.
Helen’s nature was to be loving and generous, and that overflowed to all of her nephews, nieces, godchildren, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and even strangers; to know her was a gift. She was deeply loyal to her family, especially her siblings of the Sholomicky family, who have all pre-deceased her. Her chocolate chip cookies, pagachi, nut rolls and Bundt cake were renown and sought after. Helen cultivated the “Trifecta of Hospitality”: the door was always open, the coffee pot was always on, and friends and family were always welcome. No one could forget the unique family of “Huntington House” or their famous gatherings and celebrations. She was always there to listen, encourage, pray with and offer unconditional love. With a certain innocence, she held sobriety, wisdom and purity of heart, with her own brand of humor, as family matriarch for these many years. She enters now into the joy of the Lord whom she faithfully witnessed to all during her life. At the end of her earthly pilgrimage, she whispered a song of gratitude for her many blessings, expressed in her parting sentiments, “thank you, thank you all for everything.”
Predeceased by her parents, Alexander and Mary Sholomicky, and her husband, Chester Sr. of blessed memory. The beloved mother of Dr. Chester (Kathleen) Andrzejewski, Jr. of Somers, CT, and Matushka Sharon (Rev. Gregory) Rubis of Somerset, NJ. Her loving family includes: grandchildren Nicholas, Michael Andrzejewski, Danielle (Brian) Lesperance, Gabriella Helene Rubis and great-grandchild, Alice Lesperance; cherished Aunt of a multitude of nieces and nephews in the Curran, Sholomicky, Ard and Andrzejewski families in Ohio.
Visitation will be Friday, August 3, 2018 from 2-7 PM at Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church, 1510 E. Main St. Bridgeport, CT. A Paniheida Memorial Service will be celebrated in the church at 6:00 PM. The Funeral Service will be Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 10:00 AM with internment at Lakeview Cemetery in Bridgeport, CT. Donations in her memory may be made to either Holy Ghost Russian Orthodox Church and/or All Saint’s Orthodox Church in Hartford, CT.
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