Helen Nelan

Helen Nelan, of Wayne and formerly of Farmingdale and Glen Cove, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 11, 2019 with loving and supportive family by her bedside. She made it to 99 years, 9 months and 2 days. The 100th birthday party was not meant to be on this earth but will surely be celebrated in heaven.

Helen was born Alba Marie Colasanti in November of 1919 to Italian immigrant parents Donato “Dan” and Carmela Colasanti who came to America thru Ellis Island. Woodrow Wilson was the president and World War I had ended just a year earlier. Helen was the sixth of seven children and the first daughter living with her five older brothers and one younger sister at 9 Club Road in Glen Cove, NY. Her Italian family decided to be more ‘American’ so they began calling her Helen. She was baptized, received her first communion, was confirmed, and married at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Glen Cove and for many years, she walked the 1.3 miles from her home to that church to attend Mass.

Helen met the love of her life, Jim Nelan, at the Hempstead Roller Rink. They dated and quickly fell in love, but marriage had to wait when Jim was sent overseas to serve our country during World War II. They corresponded daily with each other and, as soon as Jim returned stateside, he proposed marriage. They married at St. Patrick’s Church in Glen Cove on Saturday, November 3, 1946, raised their daughter and two sons in a home full of love at 53 West Zoranne Drive in Farmingdale, NY. During those years together as a young family, they attended St. James R.C. Church in Seaford, NY. When all was said and done, they lived in that home in Farmingdale for over 50 years and Helen and Jim enjoyed 60 memorable years of life together until Jim’s passing in 2007. They were a very sentimental couple who saved everything and their children still have all their letters.

While raising her family, Helen blessed her young children with her utmost care and support and of course – her excellent cooking. When Jack, her youngest, was old enough, she returned to the workplace where, utilizing her strong typing and stenographer skills, Helen enjoyed a strong career as head secretary for the Eastplain Elementary School while earning the love and respect of both the children she served as well as her colleagues. In retirement, Helen was afforded more time and the opportunity to engage in her artistic endeavors and she and Jim enjoyed several wonderful cruises and trips to Europe, Greece, Hawaii and the Caribbean. They were great dancers and very active in the Long Island square dancing community. When taking care of the home in Farmingdale became too much to handle, Helen and Jim sold it and moved to a senior apartment at Sienna Village in Wayne, NJ so that they could be closer to their daughter Judy. After Jim’s passing, Helen stayed in the apartment for a few years before moving in with Judy and son-in-law Gary in Wayne. Eventually, her care needs became more significant necessitating a move to the Wayne View Acute Care Facility in Wayne.

Helen loved watching and hearing about all of the things her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and relatives were involved with. Telling a joke or using technology were not her strong points, but she was constantly amazed at the wonders of the world and the technologies that evolved over the course of her lifetime.

Some of us are destined to leave this world suddenly or too soon.  Helen was given a long and full life that tested the temporal and physical limits of the human body. For several years she would say, “I’m an old woman, why am I still here?” Her family would respond with cliché’s that sounded hollower as the quality of her life faded. Helen’s best and strongest quality was her ability to love. It was the kind of love that was genuine and endured to the end. The last words that Helen was able to speak to those around her were “Thank you’ and “I love you”. She was such a wonderful wife, mother, Grammy, aunt, and friend! She will be missed dearly, but her peaceful passing was a blessing. Her legacy is the love she instilled in those who were fortunate to know her.  

Helen was the beloved wife of James, blessed in marriage for 60 years until his passing in 2007. She was the loving mother of Judith and husband Gary Van Schaften of Hilton Head, SC, James, Jr. and wife Janet Nelan of Vero Beach, FL, and Jack and wife Celina Nelan of East Haddam, CT; seven adored grandsons: Erik and wife Abby Van Schaften, Chip Van Schaften, Ryan and wife Krissy Van Schaften, Jamie and wife Tina Nelan, Sean and wife Alyssa Van Schaften, Cory Nelan, and Thomas and wife Erin Nelan; and six cherished great-grandchildren: Josie Van Schaften, Riley Van Schaften, Chris Van Schaften, Audrey Nelan, Luka Van Schaften, and Blake Van Schaften. Helen was predeceased by her five brothers and one sister: John, Louis, Dominick, Anthony, and Michael Colasanti and Rose Kearns.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Helen’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or online at stjude.org.