Obituary: Helen Ciesielski

Helen Rita Chapkowski Ciesielski, 99 years old as of May 18, 2013,  Helen was residing at Cranbury Care Center, Monroe Township. She passed away from natural causes on May 23, 2013 at her residence just five days after her 99^th birthday party which was attended by many of her large and still growing family.

Helen was born May 18, 1914 in East Brunswick, NJ to Martin and Caroline Chapkowski. She was a resident there until her marriage to B. Peter Ciesielski, now deceased, on June 11, 1939.  Helen and Peter raised seven children during a fairly mobile life that moved them around various locations in New Jersey with a short term residence in Vermont.  After spending 15 years in St. Petersburg, Florida and her husband’s passing, Helen moved to Rossmoor Community, Monroe Township in 1995.

Taking care of her family with love and much of her infamous worrying, along with a great deal of her seemingly endless energy, was her life’s work and pleasure. However, after a long 99 years on this earth and in her own words, “The Old Grey Mare, She Ain’t What She Used To Be”, she moved on to be with her husband, her parents and her siblings.

Helen is survived by her seven children….Ronald of Monroe, Regina “Ginny” and her husband Rich Wisniewski of Largo, FL, Camille and her husband Ron Burleson of Clermont, FL, Mary Ann and her husband Dale Scheirholt of Dana Point, CA., John of North Brunswick, Donald and his wife Mimi of Medford, and James and his wife Kathleen of Old Bridge….17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 39 nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her brothers and sisters, Annette, Nancy, Marie, Blanche, Joe, Frank, John and Edward.

She was a communicant of Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 185 Applegarth Road, Monroe Township.

Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at  Rezem Funeral Home, 457 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Nativity of Our Lord Church, Monroe Township.  

Cremation will be private.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.  Tuesday.

 For information, directions or to send condolences to family, visit www.rezemfh.com