Helen A. Nowak

Helen A. (Balfour) Nowak 89, of Chatham passed away on Monday, July 25, 2011 at Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, MA. She was the wife of the late James L. Nowak whom she met in 1945 while working as his civilian secretary when he was in the military stationed at the army base in Boston, MA.

Helen was born on June 27 1922, in Boston, MA. She was the daughter of the late William and Helen (Peters) Balfour. She moved to Chatham in 1924, when her father was ask to distribute Hood Milk on Cape Cod. She was a graduate of the Dana Hall School in Wellesley and later attended The Katherine Gibbs School. Together with her husband they owned and operated The Chatham Furniture Store for over 50 years.

She was a member for the Eastern Star, and the Brown, James, Buck Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8607 in West Chatham. Helen loved sports, horse racing, animals. She was an avid Red Sox fan, and Patriots fan. In her youth she was an accomplished equestrian, showing many of her horses in the major arenas in New England and New York.

She was survived by her three children, James L. Nowak Jr. and his wife Laura of Harwich, Cynthia “DooDee” Nowak of Chatham, and Susan A. Hunter and her husband Richard of Chatham, six grandchildren, and nine great-great children. She is also survived by her dear friend Sterling Marshal of Chatham and Calais, Maine.

Her visitation will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2011 from 4-6 p.m. in the Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham, MA. Her burial will be private in Union Cemetery, Chatham, MA.

Memorial Donations may be made in her memory to the Chatham High School Animal Welfare Club, 425 Crowell Road, Chatham, MA 02633, The Animal Rescue League of Boston, 3981 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 or to a charity of one’s choice. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com