Helene O'Neill Gladis

Helene O’Neill Gladis lived life on her own terms up until the very end. She traveled the world and had a zest for all that is good in life. Helene dedicated her life to children with special needs and anyone who wanted to learn to swim. She loved a good party with friends and family with gourmet food and a few cocktails.

Mrs. O’Neill Gladis, 94, died on September 12, 2024, in Pompano, Florida.

Helene was born in Staten Island, NY and was the daughter of Mary Pomianowski Herald and Casimir “Jack” Pomianowski. Helene had one brother, John “Jack” Pomianowski (deceased) and one sister, Dorothy Faison.

Helene attended Saint Peter’s catholic high school and often performed in school and community plays in her Staten Island neighborhood. She had a love for the water which she got from her father who taught her how to swim at an early age and she swam every day well into her early nineties. After high school, she married her long-time childhood neighbor Eugene O’Neill (deceased) who was the Director of the Staten Island Ferry.

After marrying and raising three children, Margaret (Peggy) Holt, Eugenia Mark and Blaise O’Neill while working at the local Jewish Community Center as a swimming teacher, Bridget O’Neill was born and the whole family moved to Marlboro, NJ. Mrs. O’Neill was a 50-year American Red Cross volunteer as a swimming Instructor Trainer, training other swimming teachers and lifeguards. Helene received her teaching degree from Kean College and eventually taught for Marlboro Township Schools creating the first ever swimming program for the special education population. Mrs. O’Neill taught in the pool and in the classroom until retirement.

Helene was predeceased by her husband, Eugene O’Neill and second husband Paul Gladis and her daughter Eugenia Mark. Survivors daughter Margaret Holt and Charles Holt (deceased) of South Carolina, who raised two children, Justin “Corey” Holt married to Susen Holt and Jacqueline Evans married to Mark Evans; daughter Eugenia Mark (deceased) raised grandson James Mark in Somerville, NJ; Son Blaise O’Neill of Oakland Park, Florida; Daughter Bridget O’Neill of Hollywood Florida; great grandchildren Carson Holt, Cole Evans, Noelle Evans, Spencer Evans and King Mark.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the American Red Cross or Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) in Helene O’Neill Gladis’ memory.

A memorial gathering (visitation) for Helene will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Kraeer/Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 4061 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.