Helen Yselonia

Helen Yselonia, born May 4, 1948, passed peacefully in her home on February 3, 2024. She is fondly remembered for her radiant spirit, resilience, and the love she had for her family and friends. Helen was the epitome of strength, respect, and sincerity. She confidently spread positivity and warmth wherever she went, leaving a legacy of laughter, loyalty, and strength that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Helen was born in Newark, NJ and lived in Lyndhurst until the age of 3 when she and her parents moved to Packanack Lake in Wayne, New Jersey. She later married and raised two children in the beautiful lake community where she was an avid member for most of her life. Helen’s true passion was tennis and she played it well. She was on various teams and received many trophies for her talents.

She graduated from Montclair State University with her master’s degree and immediately began teaching English. Aside from being a teacher, Helen also was a piano instructor. While waiting for her pupils to come, she would tickle the ivories producing the most angelic sounds. One of her daughter’s favorite memories is of hearing her play so effortlessly.

Helen loved to travel and see the world. She and her husband, John, traveled to many destinations including California, Hawaii, Italy, Germany, Canada, and Mexico to name some. Her favorite place to return to was Hilton Head Island, SC where she would play tennis to her heart’s content. While in college she spent her summers down the Jersey shore surfing and being in the sun and her love of the beach never faded.

Anyone who knew Helen was aware of her passion for sports, mainly baseball, football, and basketball. A staunch supporter of the NY Yankees and Jets, Helen spent her Sundays in the fall watching football and most of her nights in the spring watching baseball. She won football survivor pools and could keep up a conversation with any sports enthusiast, equipped with knowledge of stats, players, and positions. One of her favorite comforts was sharing this passion with her son. They would spend every Yankee game calling each other back and forth throughout the game to discuss the players and every play made.

Helen had a major zest for excitement. Roller coasters and fast cars were never too much for her, eventually leading her to drive a race car at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut during the 1990s. She was the only woman there - and won! She had also always wanted to sky dive but sadly never did.

Helen was an enormous animal lover, growing up with pets and continuing to have them even after she became a mother. There was always a pet in the house, sometimes three. She was deeply involved in various causes, including the ASPCA but most notably St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Her legacy will be a testament to her strength, her unwavering love for her family and friends, and her steadfast belief in standing up for what's right. She was a real friend, a phenomenal mom, an even better Nana and undoubtedly, the most amazingly strong person ever to grace the earth with her presence. She was a true hero to her daughter making her the best role model she could have had. She taught her and others about handling tough situations with grace and confidence while maintaining a stubbornness that people adored her for. Her grandchildren, though, were the absolute light of her life and she cherished every moment she got to spend with them. Now they will cherish every moment spent with her.

Helen is survived by her devoted husband, John Yselonia of Wayne; her loving daughter, Cara Zaranski and husband Peter, both of Wayne; her step-daughter, Jacqueline Yselonia of Forked River; her brother Peter Bellman and his wife Judy from Wayne; her three nephews, Peter Bellman of Pompton Plains; Glenn Bellman of Marlborough, Connecticut; Chris Bellman of Waretown, NJ; and three grandchildren, Dylan Fusco of Madison; and Ava and Declan Zaranski of Wayne. She was predeceased by her precious son, Michael Fusco, as well as her parents, Peter and Helen Bellman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.