Helen Sikorjak

Helen, a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, wife, mom, and grandmother, was born on January 28, 1950, in Litmanová, Slovakia. Her journey on this earth, filled with love, joy, celebrations, tears, and challenges, came to an end on June 5, 2024, but her legacy will endure forever.

Helen’s life was marked by her compassion, selflessness, and unwavering care for those around her. She was always quick to help, ask about others, remember birthdays, and take care of the things that mattered most. These were hallmarks of her character, and she lived her life with grateful dedication to her family and unwavering care for those around her.

On September 3, 1966, Helen first came to the US on her own to visit her grandparents in Yonkers, New York. This visit turned into a permanent stay, thrusting her, as a teenager, into navigating the challenges of a new country, language, and culture. She handled these challenges with grace and determination. She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1970 and found community among family and friends from Slovakia in greater New York City. In this community, she saw David for the first time in the US after Easter Mass in 1968 at St. Nicholas' Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in New York. David had arrived in the US only weeks earlier and was slightly intimidated by Helen’s command of English. Despite the intimidation, they began dating afterward and married on September 19, 1970.  

Family was Helen's foundation, and over nearly 54 years of marriage, she continued to build upon this beautiful foundation. She cherished every moment with her family, and her family grew. First, three loving children, David, John, and Nadya. Then, her first grandson, Christian. And then, many years later, while waiting patiently for one of her children to get married, all three got married within the span of 17 months and then proceeded to add six more grandsons (Alex, Kai, Ryan, Julian, Jai, and Dylan). Life could not be fuller. Her home was the heart of countless celebrations, from Christmas to Easter to birthdays and any other day that brought family together. Her pirohys were so famous that her grandkids would refuse any storebought or restaurant version. She made sure her own daughter and two daughters-in-law knew how to make them so the tradition would live on. Her love and generosity abounded, always trying to find some point of connection with each grandchild and happily attending any Christening, First Communion, or Wedding for her extended family.

Helen's love for travel took her back to Slovakia many times, on several cruises with dozens of family and friends, and to her favorite destination, Marco Island, FL. For over thirty years, she vacationed in Marco, enjoying restaurants, feeling the warm Gulf waters, and basking in the wonder of a sunset like it was her first. Whether it was with her husband, children, grandchildren, cousins, or friends, Marco Island was a special place where Helen relished the fullness of her life.

Helen's dedication to others extended beyond her family through her work as a nurse. She pursued her passion by attending Westchester Community College to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and later Rockland Community College to become a Licensed Registered Nurse. Helen’s career spanned 38 years, during which she worked at St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains, specializing in obstetrics, postpartum, nursery, and labor and delivery. She then moved to Montefiore Hospital in New Rochelle, where she heroically cared for the most vulnerable newborns in the NICU and served as an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, helping mothers with breastfeeding. The impact of her 38 years of caring for babies and families at such a critical time in their lives is immeasurable.

Helen cared deeply for her family, friends, and patients and showed great valor and fortitude as she battled to her last day. All who knew her will cherish her enduring grace, love, and dedication.

Family and friends are invited to Pleasant Manor Funeral Home, Inc. 575 Columbus Avenue - Thornwood, New York 10594 on Sunday, June 9, 2024 from 3:00 - 8:00 PM for visitation with Paratas service at 6:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church 768 North Street - White Plains, New York 10605 on Monday, June 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM, officiated by Father Igor Vorontstov.  Helen will be laid to rest in her family plot at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne following the funeral mass at 11:30 AM 

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