Helen F. O'Donnell

Aunt Helen was a special individual and always a delight to be around. Jeff nailed it...her attention to detail and schedule never ceased to amaze me as well as her exercise regimen. My favorite family times were Father's Day and picking up Father Davis to drive to Lavallette. It was always a pleasure to see Aunt Helen at my Mother's house at the beach and see the special bond they had as well as Aunt Jean. Those memories will stay with me forever.
Favorite cousin Bruce

We knew Helen for years. She was our neighbor in Lavallette. She was a wonderful lady. May she rest in peace.

Sincerely,
Tom & Eileen Yeasky

She was a great lady, and we will miss her very much. Ellen Moloney

Helen--what a great lady!!!!

Aunt Helen was quick to smile and to laugh. I admired her attention to detail and ability to do something well without fuss or apparent strain. She was the Thanksgiving Queen, as we all know. I don't remember Thanksgiving at her house with Uncle Benny in North Brunswick very well, though I do remember the bar downstairs with the ball game on in the summer, and playing basketball with cousins Dennis & Bruce in hard fought games that made me wonder what having a brother might be like. That house is like an old dream that's fuzzy & hard to recall for me, since I was young at the time it was sold (1969?).

Thanksgivings on Jersey City Avenue I remember much better, the bustle of people, seeing cousins, eating a lot, the rhythm of the day still remains with me, as does Aunt Helen's captain-like organizing of food, drink, and the details involved in having 35 people crash your house. Details which included setting out hand written name cards for seating (is that really true or have I made that up?).

I remember a faux paux I made in a comment to my mother, when I said (1980s?) that I liked Aunt Helen's mashed potatoes, since they were lumpy. Jeanne Zajac was quick to instruct me to never put it this way to Aunt Helen, that it wouldn't be taken as a compliment! But it was a compliment. They were good.

I remember in particular one of the last Thanksgivings that I attended with Maria, in the early 2000s (date fuzzy on this). Maria and I hadn't attended for a bunch of years, since we were abroad for 4 years in the 90s, and often went to Maria's mother's house in Franklin for Thanksgiving, since she was living alone and getting older. But I remember thinking that it was probably going to be one of the last Thanksgivings at Aunt Helen's house where there would be the usual big crowd, so there was a poignancy to being there. Afterwards, I was sitting with Maria in the kitchen, watching Aunt Thelma, Aunt Helen, and my mother cleaning up, enjoying the casual banter and being in the kitchen with the cooks. I thought to myself, I'm going to take a snapshot of this scene in my mind, and remember this moment. And in the late afternoon, I remember looking at the sign in the kitchen we all know (Relatives and fish stink after 3 days), and smiling to myself. I will miss Aunt Helen much.

When prayers go up, blessings come down.....Thinking of my cousins, Barbara, Kathy & Kevin. Prayers of comfort for you during this sad time. Auntie Helen was a sweet and loving lady.

Aunt Helen was quick to smile and to laugh. I admired her attention to detail and ability to do something well without fuss or apparent strain. She was the Thanksgiving Queen, as we all know. I don't remember Thanksgiving at her house with Uncle Benny in North Brunswick very well, though I do remember the bar downstairs with the ball game on in the summer, and playing basketball with cousins Dennis & Bruce in hard fought games that made me wonder what having a brother might be like. That house is like an old dream that's fuzzy & hard to recall for me, since I was young at the time it was sold (1969?).

Thanksgivings on Jersey City Avenue I remember much better, the bustle of people, seeing cousins, eating a lot, the rhythm of the day still remains with me, as does Aunt Helen's captain-like organizing of food, drink, and the details involved in having 35 people crash your house. Details which included setting out hand written name cards for seating (is that really true or have I made that up?).

I remember a faux paux I made in a comment to my mother, when I said (1980s?) that I liked Aunt Helen's mashed potatoes, since they were lumpy. Jeanne Zajac was quick to instruct me to never put it this way to Aunt Helen, that it wouldn't be taken as a compliment! But it was a compliment. They were good.

I remember in particular one of the last Thanksgivings that I attended with Maria, in the early 2000s (date fuzzy on this). Maria and I hadn't attended for a bunch of years, since we were abroad for 4 years in the 90s, and often went to Maria's mother's house in Franklin for Thanksgiving, since she was living alone and getting older. But I remember thinking that it was probably going to be one of the last Thanksgivings at Aunt Helen's house where there would be the usual big crowd, so there was a poignancy to being there. Afterwards, I was sitting with Maria in the kitchen, watching Aunt Thelma, Aunt Helen, and my mother cleaning up, enjoying the casual banter and being in the kitchen with the cooks. I thought to myself, I'm going to take a snapshot of this scene in my mind, and remember this moment. And I have. And in the late afternoon, I remember looking at the sign in the kitchen we all know (Relatives and fish stink after 3 days), and smiling to myself.

Barbara, I pray that God gives you comfort during this difficult time. You and your family are in my prayers.

I loved walking to Aunt Helen's house from Normandy beach to visit with her over the summers! Our prayers are with you.

God bless your family in this time of grief and wrap his loving arms around you. My prayers are with you.

Aunt Helen,
I thought I saw your face today, in the sparkle of the morning sun.
And then I heard the Angel say, "Your work on earth is done".

Thank you for your strength, wisdom, love and laughter. I will hold you in my heart forever as well as the fond memories of all the good times at 8 Jersey City Avenue in Lavallette!

Dear Aunt Helen,
I thought I saw your face today, in the sparkle of the morning sun.
And then I heard the Angel say..."your work on earth is done".

I want to thank you, Aunt Helen, for your strength, wisdom, love and laughter. I will hold you in my heart forever and will never forget all the love and joy at 8 Jersey City Avenue, Lavallette.

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Someone loves you.
Here's a clue.
Jeanne Marie, Rick, Todd & ReRe too!

We will all miss your positive outlook & fun disposition! ❤❤❤

Dearest Godmother, Thank you for the many gifts you gave us - your laughter, your kindness, your strength and courage, and most of all - your love. You never forgot a birthday or anniversary and made every occasion a special one. We all know how very blessed we were to have you in our lives. A life that touches others goes on forever and you will live forever in our hearts. xoxo, Diane & Raymond

What can I say about Aunt Helen??? or as I fondly call her "HXA"--wonderful Aunt, kind to a fault, would do anything for anyone---we always loved it when she would stop at Wallachs Farms after swimming to buy us farm fresh eggs!!! she would give Dad for his BD the "double yolks"--- which he loved!!! You will be missed--- love, Deborah Zajac Churchill---

What could I say about Aunt Helen??? or as I fondly call her "HXA"--wonderfull aunt, generous to a fault, would do anything for anyone---we always loved when she stopped at Wallachs Farm to pick up eggs on her way home from swimming--farm fresh eggs!!! she would give Dad the "double yolks" for his BD which he loved--- you will be greatly missed!!!!!! love,
Deborah Jeanne Zajac Churchill

My Loving Sister, My Best Friend, and the strongest women I know--always upbeat, smiling & willing to help anyone who needed it---we never missed a "Frank Sinatra" concert in NYC or NJ--what fun we all had!!!! the great lunches & dinners with family & friends--I will treasure all my life--- I will miss you--- but the memories will live on--- Love, Your Sister Jeanne Zajac------------

God bless you all.

Helen was a strong woman who always said the right thing, did the right thing and followed her faith the right way. She will always be remembered by our family. God Bless her and her family. Nancy and Paul Ciatti and family