Helen L. Hopkins

SOUTHBURY - Helen Victoria Marie Lesniewski Hopkins, age 99, passed away at the Lutheran Home, Southbury, Connecticut, on April 15, 2024.  Helen was predeceased by her husband of more than 60 years, Everett Parker "Parks" Hopkins.

She is survived by two children, Robert Parker Hopkins and his wife Cindee of Roxbury, Connecticut,  Cheryl Boyhen and her husband Robert Boyhen of Warren, Connecticut, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Helen was born at home at 1 Oakland Heights, Bethel, Connecticut on July 11, 1924.  Her parents, Stanley and Victoria Lesniewski, were immigrants from Poland. Helen was the youngest of three children.  Her brothers, Walter (13 years older) and Edward (3 years older) maintained caring relationships with her throughout their lives.

During her youth Helen became an avid life-long reader, rode her bicycle, and thought nothing of walking from her home in Bethel to Danbury with friends.  She went to church with her family on Sundays.  She swam and weekly went to the movies in Danbury with her brother Edward and her parents, and she developed a life-long interest in games by learning to play pinochle.

As her father owned and operated a meat market and small grocery store in Bethel during the Depression, the family was more financially secure, and even had both a car and business truck.  The family supported others in need with food and transported neighborhood childhood friends to swim.

Helen loved school.  She graduated from Bethel High School in June, 1941 along with her future husband Everett.  Helen wanted to attend college and become a teacher, but that was not the immigrant culture at the time.  She went to beautician school after graduation then worked in a local factory during World War II making flashlights for the troops.  After graduation Helen and Everett began dating. They had a mutual loving of dancing. They were engaged before he was shipped overseas to North Africa and then Italy.  They wrote to each other during the war.

When the European War ended, Everett came home for a short leave.  Helen and he were married in the rectory of the local church.  They honeymooned at Lake Waramaug and other close-by towns.  Everett was restationed in Kansas.

Confident and undeterred by possible dangers, Helen traveled cross country by train to be with her new husband.  She was always brave.  When the war with Japan ended, Everett was discharged and was hired as a photographer at Simpson's Studio in New Milford.  The newlyweds bought their first house on Mallett's Lane in New Milford.

Helen was loving, organized, and adaptable. She was first a mother. She also loved knitting, sewing, doing puzzles, and reading.  At New Milford Lanes she worked at the counter and became a certified bowling instructor.  She was an excellent bowler.  After New Milford Lanes closed, she worked as secretary in the Scovill tube plant also in New Milford.  She loved gardening, something she had learned from her parents when she was very young.

During their years together, the couple built two houses in New Milford.  With retirement they moved to Fellsmare, Florida, then Heritage Village in Southbury, and finally to Bernhardt Meadows in Roxbury.  They traveled extensively throughout the United States to visit relatives and friends.

After Parks' death, Helen stayed on at Bernhardt Meadows. She enjoyed playing games with friends and attending Roxbury Senior Center where she knitted and played pinochle.  When manual tasks such as cooking became harder and Covid hit, she could no longer be independent.  She moved to Warren, Connecticut with needed care provided by Cheryl and Rob Boyhen and their daughter Patience.

During her last two years, though less mobile, she attended family gatherings and exhibited continued good spirits.  In her last months she resided at the Lutheran Home in Southbury. She was visited by family and friends from the Roxbury Senior Center.

Although Helen regretted not formally attending college to become a teacher, she was always a life-long learner.  She stayed informed.  She cared about family, friends, and the injustices of the world.  Her long life was a model of love, courage, and unselfishness.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 26 at Carpino Funeral Home in Southbury, Connecticut.  Viewing of photo boards and signing of the registry will be at 10:00 a.m.; the service will begin at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Helen L. Hopkins' name may be made to the Food Pantry at Calvary Southbury, 354 Kettletown Road, Southbury, Connecticut 06488.  To leave a message of remembrance, please visit www.CarpinoCares.com.

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