Helen Lenicek

Helen Lenicek (née Kukta), passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at 94 years young (or age 39 in her eyes). Helen was a resident of Emerson, NJ for 65 years. Helen was the beloved wife of the late William Lenicek, mother of Laura Lenicek-Johnson, her husband Ken Johnson, Steven Lenicek, and the late David Lenicek. Helen was the devoted grandmother of Krista, Ryan, and Matthew Johnson and cat mom to Buddy and Buddie.

Helen was born at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, and grew up on Cropsy Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and Jackson Heights & Corona, Queens. Helen spoke so highly of her days growing up in the city, going to high school on 42nd Street and 3rd Avenue, and roaming the city with friends during lunchtime for the best automats and coffee shops, before working after the school day. Those who met Helen also know how fond she was of her working days in Manhattan after high school - from her work with the American Institute of Physics, working with the Navy on Sonar during WWII, to her proud memories of being able to work on the 55th floor of the Empire State Building. She was known for winning over new, reluctant colleagues by always sharing the best pastries during their coffee breaks.

Even after moving to the suburbs to raise her family, Helen jumped at any opportunity to spend the day in the city. Even when it wasn’t possible to make the trip to NYC, Helen always found time to walk to Westwood or take the bus to Hackensack, pushing all of her kids in a stroller who enjoyed the day out. In Emerson, Helen found lifelong friends who helped her adjust from city to suburban life in Margaret and Elfriede - friends who were walking and volunteer buddies, taught her how to drive and ride a bike, and always found time to have a cup of coffee and pastry (any time of day or night). During adulthood, Helen had an enriching forty year career working with Sterns / Macy’s. Alongside her second career, Helen was an active grandmother in her grandchildren’s lives, taking care of each of them from birth to grade school. Helen enjoyed any time she spent with her grandchildren, walking to the nearby park, library, and Dunkin’ Donuts, department store shopping, lunches out, reading in the garden “baby” house, playing Scrabble and Rummikub, and long phone calls.

Helen found lifelong community with her longtime Emerson neighbors, Church of the Assumption goers, and Rummikub friends at the Emerson Senior Center. Helen entertained family, friends, and strangers alike with stories from her youth. Helen had the best one-line jokes, which always had people laughing and on their toes. Helen was the kindest, strongest, and most loving family member and friend, she will be remembered by all who had the privilege of crossing paths.

In celebration of Helen’s life, her family will receive their relatives and friends on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Funeral Mass at 10am at the Church of the Presentation (271 W. Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458), and at 11:30am at George Washington Memorial Park (234 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652).

In lieu of flowers, Helen would have loved for donations to be received by her church of 65 years, Church of the Assumption in Emerson, NJ (https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps) and the Emerson Senior Center ([email protected]).