Helena Lapszynski

Helena Lapszynski, age 80, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 15, 2020 in the presence of, and while receiving the loving care of her family.

Helena was born in Prudnik, Poland to Antonio and Katarzyna Drobnicka. She was born and spent the first several years of her life at a time when the entire world was at war. She often needed to leave the house with her mother to hide in the fields from military forces while her father was sent away to a work camp. Helena’s father passed when she was 20 years old. She lived with her mom on their farm where the two worked to keep it as a working farm and business. She spoke of memories taking wheelbarrows of sugar beets, breads, and pies she would bake with her mom to sell at the town center. Helena was always a kind and outgoing girl who would stop to help others along her daily travels. She was known by all to give away much of the items she was planning to sell to those she thought were in need.  

Helena loved singing and dancing. She often attended her local village dances and was admired by many of the local boys. One night a handsome young man from outside of her village attended the dance and caught her eye. The boy was shy, and it took several weekend dances for him to get the courage to ask Helena to dance. That boy was Kazimierz Lapszynski. He courted Helena for about two years which forged their loving relationship and lead to their marriage on October 6th, 1961 in a small Roman Catholic Church in the city of Prudnik. Their first son Christopher was born less than 2 years later.

Kazimierz and Helena had huge aspirations for their future lives. In 1964 they packed just two suitcases and a small pocket full of cash. Kazimierz, Helena now six months pregnant with their second son John, and Christopher age 1, boarded a plane bound for New York. They we able to find an apartment in Garfield, New Jersey as they both worked vigorously to make ends meet and live their American dream. Four years later came her one and only little girl Irena. Helena worked odd jobs cleaning houses and caring for elders during the days while Kazimierz worked the night shifts. Just after they had relocated to Wayne NJ, Helena landed a well-paying job as a production-line worker at a local manufacturing company, eventually earring the position of line leader. She was admired by all for her intelligence, undeniable work ethic, and her positive attitude which she brought to work every day. After moving to Wayne, New Jersey, Helena gave birth to her youngest child, Joseph.

Helena later applied her incredible work ethic to her hobbies. She and Kazimierz prided themselves on being avid gardeners. In Pennsylvania, they owned a small farm where they bonded over maintaining their land. Few couples could work together, day in and day out, to maintain an orchard of fruit trees, a bountiful vegetable garden, an assortment of berry bushes, and several Honeybee colonies. She loved being outdoors in the fresh air and sunlight. Helena was also devoted to her Catholic faith. She and Kazimierz were parishioners of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Passaic for many years.  

Nothing meant more to Helena than spending quality time with her family. She was very involved with all her children’s activities even as she worked full time. Her family still swears that she was at each of their activities at the same time, even in different places. They always knew she would be at every sporting event because they could hear her cheering the loudest, which would put a happy and proud smile on their faces. While bonding and spending quality time with Irene, she became like a 2nd mom to all of her friends. Helena was able to create countless memories with her children and grandchildren at their property in Pennsylvania. There, they would spend their days swimming and canoeing in the lake, competing in frog races, collecting blueberries, and ending their nights by the campfire roasting s’mores. Helena’s homemade pierogis, golumpki, and kluski were a holiday and event staple for family and friends alike. She will always be remembered for having an incredibly kind heart, giving as much as she could to those in her life. The love she gave was contagious. Helena touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew her.

Helena is survived by her children; Christopher Lapszynski, John Lapszynski and his wife MaryBeth of Oak Ridge, Irene Gazzillo and her husband Nick of Freehold, and Joseph Lapszynski and his wife Jolanta of Garfield, along with ten grandchildren; Christopher, Brooke, Mark, Samantha, Kimberly, Nicholas, Kathleen, JohnPaul, Patrick, and Eric.