Helen Dlugos Kelly

Helen was a lifelong New Yorker, lovingly referred to as our “Uptown Girl.” Her schooling, church, work & home life - all spent in America’s City.

Helen loved her faith, her heritage, her country, her family, her friends, her beloved hometown & Life. She enjoyed a plethora of nightlife, shopping (Madison Avenue was frequently cited), culture, arts, food, music, history, museums & most of all, a simple stroll through the ‘old neighborhood’. We are most grateful that she was able to stay in her cozy apartment thanks to Heaven-sent angels who cared for her daily needs. Rokiatou (“Rosie” as Helen lovingly called her), Christine & Kadijatou were her professional caregivers [Preferred Gold Home Care] and her niece Kelly, & cherished neighbor, Tracey, also made her days full, loving and cared for. Her childhood friend Dottie, called religiously to lift her spirits and spend the while.

Juicy ripe strawberries and bouquets of scented flowers, opera & ballet [via WQXR] brought slices of Heaven to Earth for her, and we witnessed how the simplest pleasures brought her (and us) great joy. Many sat with her, praying with & for her in her days at home. In her 8th grade autograph book she wrote that the virtues she held in highest regard are: truth, obedience, loyalty and honesty. Helen lived these virtues daily. She shared with us that she tried to live a life of caring, kindness & gratitude. That, she did. 


Her bright eyes and warm smile will be missed on 'The Avenue' by all who love her - most of all, us.


Ever loved & cherished by her nephew, Paul Andrew; whom at the age of eight, Helen marched up to New York Hospital (currently NY Presbyterian) with gifts of a blue balloon and bubble gum exclaiming to the maternity ward nurse, “I'm an Aunt! I want to meet my nephew!!”; his family, Coreen Ann & Erin, whom she provided a source of family for; her sister-in-law, Mary, and a bounty of nieces, nephews and their children, all of whom made her life enriched & full. Lifelong friends, neighbors and even strangers will feel this loss. Greeted in Heaven by her brothers Andrew & Stevie, her husband 'Johnny' and her family gone before her.

For those wishing to honor Helen’s life, please consider contributing to :

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House

or any NYC charity on her behalf.

Rest assured that Helen rests peacefully in her Heaven, for no one is more worthy.

Helen was of Slavic descent, but Irish by marriage. She understood that we are more alike than we are different, and heritage is a celebration of humanity. Remember her as such. “New Yorker” is a strength unto its own. That was Helen. Helena & Johnny rest together in Heavenly Peace in Westwood Cemetery, Westwood, N.J. Much thanks to Becker Funeral Home for their gentle care.

Please remember her on the day she graced Earth, October 4, 1938 as well as the day she returned Home - March 16, 2022.

Grieve not …

Nor speak of me

With tears …

But laugh

And talk of me

As though I were

Beside you.

I loved you so …

'Twas heaven

Here with you.