Helene Nasiatka

1918 - 2015

Mystic - Helene (Umrysz) Nasiatka, 97, formerly of Greenmanville Ave., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015.

Born in East Lyme on June 15, 1918, Helen was the daughter of the late William and Philomena Umrysz.

Helen and Alexander Nasiatka Jr. were married in 1940 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Polish Catholic Church in New London. Helen and Al then settled in Mystic. In 1952, Helene, as she liked to be called, opened Helene's Beauty Salon on the corner of Greenmanville Avenue and Isham Street. While working with clients she noticed many of them had hair problems that might have been related to their diet. She became interested in searching for healthy hair and skin care treatments.

In 1967, Helene's Healthport was born in the back of Helene's Beauty Salon. As quoted by one newspaper reporter, "Helene was a woman ahead of her time. She was a 'people person' who shared a zeal and enthusiasm for helping others learn the natural method of taking care of their body. She presented and practiced the natural way when it wasn't even chic to do so. Long before the social awakening of a need for unadulterated foods and nutritional supplements, Helene became the local forerunner in the Mystic area holistically teaching and helping people."

In 1983, the missing piece of Helene's nutritional puzzle fell into place with her introduction to sea vegetation and Wachters' Organic Sea Products which soon blossomed into the Healthport's "Shining Star", and to this day Helene had continued to maintain her love for Wachters' vitamins.

When Helene's husband retired, he quickly became her dedicated and loyal partner at the Healthport. It was in 2003 when Al told his wife he was 87 years old and "it was time to retire". Helene agreed. "Helene's Healthport" closed their doors in August 2003.

Helene was very proud to have served the Mystic community on the corner of Greenmanville Avenue and Isham Street in Mystic for more than 50 years.

Having been married for 68 wonderful years together, Al passed away in 2008.

Helene is survived by her daughter, Janet Przybysz and husband, Richard, of Mystic; son, Ronald "Hap" Nasiatka and his wife, Marilyn, of Greer, S.C.; and grandchildren, Todd Przybysz and Kara Larkin (Shawn) of North Stonington, Ryan Nasiatka (Amy) of Greer, S.C. and Jason Nasiatka (Kristen) of Pembroke Pines, Fla.; and great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Julie Larkin, Ethan, Logan and Hudson Nasiatka.

Helene was predeceased by brothers, Peter, Emil and John Umrysz.

Helene was a long time communicant of St. Patrick Church, Mystic and a member of the Daughters of Isabella. For more than 50 years, Helene and Al were extremely proud to have been involved with the Mystic/Old Mystic Polish community.

A 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at St. Patrick Church, 32 East Main St., Mystic. The family will receive relatives and friends immediately following the Mass at St Patrick's Center next to the Church. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Patrick Church c/o the Cemetery Fund.

The Mystic Funeral Home on Route 1 has charge of arrangements.