Obituary of Helen Breznak
Helen Breznak, 96, passed away peacefully in her Middlesex, NJ home, on Saturday, March 16, 2024.
Helen was born to the late George and Mersina Kledaras and raised in Mytilene on Lesbos Island in Greece. In her later childhood, she moved to Athens to reside with her maternal aunt. There, she spent most of her formative years and later attended University. In 1950, Helen immigrated to the United States where she rejoined her brothers, her sister, and their families, in Wilmington, Delaware. Soon after, she met and married the late Michael Breznak, Sr. In 1968 Helen, Michael, and their children settled in Middlesex, NJ, where Helen became a longtime resident.
Through the years, Helen held various positions of employment, not only to support her family but to provide for them for years to come. Many may remember Helen from Geerlings Greenhouses, Inc in Piscataway, NJ, or most recently, from school cafeterias in the Piscataway School District. She retired from Piscataway School District at the age of eighty-five, after 20 years of dedicated service, making her the most senior employee, and retiree, in the district.
Helen was proud of what she had accomplished in her life including immigrating to America, providing for her six children, and becoming an inspiring role model for her twelve grandchildren. Her proudest accomplishments were learning to drive in her forties and becoming a United States citizen in 1979. Voting became a right that she held close to heart and exercised every Presidential election.
Outside of work, Helen had many passions. She enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening, crocheting, sewing, and watching the news, often wanting to discuss current events. She attended aerobics classes into her early eighties and could often be found watching Family Feud, her favorite game show, that she said made her laugh. She was also a dedicated parishioner of St. George Greek Orthodox Church where she taught Sunday School for well over 20 years and volunteered for various church events and organizations. At St. George, she was a long-time member of the Ladie’s Philoptochos Society.
Helen is predeceased by her parents, and siblings, Stavros (Mike) Anna, Peter, Bill, Nicholas, and Milton. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Kmiotek and Irene Breznak; and four sons, Michael (wife Debbie), Pete (wife Wendy), George (wife Rosemary), and Mark (wife Colleen), She will also be missed by her 12 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren, along with a host of extended relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held at the Middlesex Funeral Home, 528 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex, NJ, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 4 PM to 8 PM.
A funeral mass will be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 1101 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 11 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home prior to mass, beginning at 9:45 AM.
Burial will follow at Bound Brook Cemetery, 500 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ.
Helen was a monthly donor, and proud supporter, of St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for over 20 years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the hospital in her name. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital