Helen Kraynak of Jensen Beach passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. She joins her loving husband of 65 years, John, in heaven.

Helen's parents immigrated to the United States in 1936 from Slovakia (then the First Czechoslovak Republic), a time of tremendous political upheaval. Her mother, Irene, made the long journey while pregnant with Helen. Helen was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she would eventually meet her soulmate, John. They settled in East Brunswick, where they built their first home, and raised their family – and family would always remain Helen's highest priority. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Helen doted over her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren – no one ever left her home without a full stomach, including plenty of treats. Her famous homemade "Baba Cookies" (a secret family recipe) were in such high demand she had to mail batches of them around the
country to every family member for each holiday. Helen's crocheting was impeccable, and her hand-crafted afghan blankets warm the beds of her whole family.

When thirty-five years ago Helen and John moved to Florida, they immediately immersed themselves into life on Hutchinson Island, where they both loved every minute with their friends, gazing at the beach, and sharing the Treasure Coast with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Extended visits to Florida became an annual tradition for Helen's family members, no matter how far away they lived. And Helen had a special ability to converse with anyone, anytime, anywhere. She made many friends over the years, and was known as a confidant, mentor and friend, and she was known to all of the children at her condo as Grandma Helen.

Helen was the first member of her family to attend and graduate from college, sparking a love of learning and teaching which led to a 55-year career in education where she touched the lives of countless children. Over the years, she was a teacher in elementary schools, she taught
children with special needs, and she finished her career by sharing her wisdom and knowledge as a mentor to student teachers at Florida Atlantic University. And, on top of her day-job, she somehow found time to volunteer teaching CCD to first holy communicants and was an advisor
to the Catholic Youth Organization.

Helen loved to polka dance, and she won the polka division in the 1954 Harvest Moon Ball on the stage at Madison Square Garden and went on to dance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Helen also loved travel, and she and John traveled the world, including trips to Japan, Russia, Europe, all across the United States (including no qualms about making the drive from Florida to New Jersey, or to any number of historic sites), and the Holy Land, her favorite place of all of her travels.

She is survived by her sister Mary; her two daughters, Debbie (Art) and Lorie; her grandchildren Michael (Jennifer), Sarah (Christopher), Julie (Eric), Allison (Craig); and her great grandchildren, Thomas, Johnny, Catherine, Hannah, Caroline, Ryan, Michael, Evan and David.

Helen's friends and family have countless, wonderful, loving memories of her. She will be missed, but she will remain in our hearts, forever.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to Helen's favorite charity www.stjude.org