Helene Elizabeth Helgesen

June 27, 1935 - June 30, 2020

Helene Elizabeth Helgesen Monserrate Helene was born on June 27, 1935 to Margarete and Karl Mueger and grew up in Nutley, NJ with her older sister Peggy in a home that their parents built. Helene graduated from Upsala College and taught 2nd grade. Later in life she worked at Monmouth University, where she was a special events coordinator. Helene was fortunate to have two great loves in her life. She married her first husband, Alfred Helgesen on April 14,1962 and had three children, Karen, Thomas and Susan. They had a very happy life together until Al's passing in 1983. Helene met Roland Monserrate in 1993 and they married in 2001. She enjoyed a healthy active life, going to the gym with Roland 3 times a week until last year. Her family was her passion in life. She loved having everyone together and was an active grandparent, happily attending school events, dance recitals, soccer games and track meets. Helene also deeply loved music and her church family. She and Roland enjoyed going to concerts, plays and singing in their church choir. She was a sweet, beautiful soul and her quiet smile will be missed by all who knew her. Helene is survived by her husband Roland Monserrate, sister Peggy Ackerman, children Karen and Joe DiFrancesco, Thomas and Catherine Helgesen, and Susan and Timothy Weiner. She is also survived by Roland's children Gina and Anthony Warlick and Ronnie and Karla Monserrate. Helene has seven grandchildren, Chelsea, David and Katie DiFrancesco, Madilyn and Noelle Weiner, Amber Kennedy and Angela Monserrate. Her grandchildren loved her motto, "What happens at grandma's, stays at grandma's "and her affinity for chocolate and all sweets in general! A private service is planned outdoors for Friday July 3rd at 10 am. There will be a public celebration of Helene's life when it is safe to do so indoors. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to: Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence Gift Fund at UPenn http://www.pennmedicine.org/GBM or St Jude Children's Hospital https://www.stjude.org/promotion/impact-giving-pm.html?sc_dcm=254910854andsc_cid=kwp73482andsource_code=IIQ181010008andgclid=EAIaIQobChMItsOV6M2s6gIVjI7ICh2ERg2aEAAYASAAEgI-1fD_BwE