Helen E Babich

Mrs. Helen E. Paserba Babich, 102, entered the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. 

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Wednesday, March 1^st. from 2:00-6:00PM.  At 5:00PM the Panikhida service will be offered in the funeral home by Father Theodore Gregory.  On Thursday, March 2^nd., at 8:30AM, everyone will start to gather in the funeral home where a prayer service will begin at 9:00AM, followed by the funeral service to be offered in Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Rahway at 10:00AM.  The prayers of committal will precede Mrs. Babich’s entombment in the family crypt in Rosedale Cemetery in Linden.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Helen’s name to the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 830 Jefferson Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065.

Helen, the daughter of the late Mary Doklia Paserba and the late Tedor Paserba was born in Newark, New Jersey.  She grew up in Linden, New Jersey, followed by some time spent in the Elmora section of Elizabeth, New Jersey.  In 1954, Helen then relocated to Clark, New Jersey where she resided until 2012 when she moved to Newark, Delaware.

Helen was simply an amazing woman.  During World War II, she was a “Rosie the Riveter” for Eastern Aircraft.  Deeply religious, Helen and her late husband, Alexander Babich (1996) were among the founders of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Rahway.  She sang in their choir for countless years, and she oversaw the coffee social hour every week.  Helen also organized and ran the Church’s Tricky Tray for many years.  A petite woman, she was literally a firecracker of a personality, in her sky-high heels, her famous red lipstick and her blond “Jersey Girl” hairstyle.  Helen was the epitome of a lady who was loving, gracious and enjoyed a good laugh.

In addition to her husband, she is predeceased by her sister, Mrs. Anna Petraitis and her three brothers, Leo Paserba, Walter Paserba and George Paserba. 

Helen is survived by her daughter, Alessandra “Sandy” H. Ozolins and her husband, Janis; her son, Gary A. Babich and his companion, Anne Fagan; her brother Steven Paserba; her beloved granddaughter, Briana Ozolins and her companion, Daryl Sober; her sister-in-law, Anita Paserba; her many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and friends. 

Even as her illness took over, Helen forever longed to return to Linden, where the times were good and the memories were experienced to last a lifetime.  She kept each and every one of us in her heart and we will continue to do the same for Helen.  Helen will be deeply missed, but she will never be forgotten.

The family would especially like to thank the staff of the Newark Manor in Newark, Delaware for taking excellent care of Helen for the past ten years.  They made sure to provide her with the necessary care, but they did it in such as way that it was obvious to all, how much they loved Helen and strove to maintain Helen’s dignity and spirit.  While living there, it was customary for Helen to have her daily indulgence of cookies and coffee – her personal trademark!  So today, as we mourn the loss of Helen, think also of her joyous reunion with all the family and friends who met her at the ”pearly gates” and please sit back, relax and have a couple of cookies and a cup of coffee and smile……Helen has waited a long time for this gathering and they are having a big, wonderful party!   

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.