Helen Ann Benya Gereg was the daughter of John & Frances Bortnik Benya. She was born in Yonkers, New York. Raised on a dairy farm in Brookfield, Connecticut. She was the oldest of four children, Frances, Steve and Ruth. She was a school teacher for a while and then raised a family with husband George Gereg. Their children are James, Richard and Gerry.
News Times Obit -
The passing of longtime Brookfield resident, Helen (Benya) Gereg, may be scarcely noted by most people in the area today, but some of the old timers will recognize the name, designating the widow of the late George J. Gereg. Others may note that she was one of the Benya family who had lived on Happy Landings Farm when it was indeed a working farm. Helen was born February 23, 1911 in Yonkers, N.Y., the first of four children. Her parents, the late John and Frances Benya, had immigrated to the U.S. a few years earlier from Austro-Hungary, now known as Czechoslovakia. Helen's father was then a factory employee; her mother had quit her factory job to be a fulltime homemaker. Little Helen experienced loving care from her parents, especially when the prevalent childhood diseases moved rampantly through their neighborhood. Fortunately, the battles were won by the determined parents, long before vaccinations had become commonplace. Her pleasing personality showed at an early age. A steady, direct gaze from those blue eyes, and a ready smile won Helen the hearts and minds of many, throughout her lifetime. In time, the family moved to Brookfield. Helen, then a very capable 13 year old, was active in helping everyone get settled in the old farmhouse, as well as caring for her 8 month old sister. Both parents faced the daunting task of making a living on the little farm which they had barely managed to buy. Farm work was essential, but Helen's parents believed in the importance of education; consequently, none of their children was ever kept from school or lessons. During summers out of classes, or later when she was sometimes employed at summer jobs, Helen contributed to the farm effort by taking over the housework and most of the cooking, thereby freeing her mother for outdoor chores. During the first few years on the farm, Helen was frequently called upon to help with interpreting instructions, or to help with record keeping. Her masterful script in some old ledgers is a delight to behold, and impressive too, because it was accomplished with straight pens long before the use of fountain pens. In school, Helen responded to her teachers' instructions with enthusiasm, becoming an excellent student throughout her classes and graduated from Danbury High School. She enrolled at what was then called Normal School, now known as WCSU and in two years was granted a teaching certificate. Helen's first teaching position was at Ore Hill School in Kent, which was perhaps the epitome of rural school. She was accepted and well liked by both parents and students, and met the same response when later was transferred to other schools in the western part of the state. Her teaching careerwas interrupted for an interval during which she and her husband started their own family in Brookfield; then she resumed teaching, finally retiring in 1976. Helen had a treasured collection of notes and greeting cards from many of her former pupils, and had fond memories of them and some of their families as well. She and George proudly maintained their well appointed home on Route 7 and enjoyed the visits of their friends. They were lifelong members of St. Joseph Church in Brookfield. Helen suffered a stroke in her later years, resulting in diminished mobility and loss of speech. Macular degeneration took much of her eyesight, but owing to competent loving care, she was able to enjoy short excursions from home, occasional brief visits from loved ones, and the companionship of her devoted primary caregiver, Kate Tomck. She is survived by three sons, James, Richard, and Gerald; one sister, Ruth B. Hampton, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Mass of ChristianBurial will be celebrated on Friday, November 13th at 11 am at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.
News Times Obit -
The passing of longtime Brookfield resident, Helen (Benya) Gereg, may be scarcely noted by most people in the area today, but some of the old timers will recognize the name, designating the widow of the late George J. Gereg. Others may note that she was one of the Benya family who had lived on Happy Landings Farm when it was indeed a working farm. Helen was born February 23, 1911 in Yonkers, N.Y., the first of four children. Her parents, the late John and Frances Benya, had immigrated to the U.S. a few years earlier from Austro-Hungary, now known as Czechoslovakia. Helen's father was then a factory employee; her mother had quit her factory job to be a fulltime homemaker. Little Helen experienced loving care from her parents, especially when the prevalent childhood diseases moved rampantly through their neighborhood. Fortunately, the battles were won by the determined parents, long before vaccinations had become commonplace. Her pleasing personality showed at an early age. A steady, direct gaze from those blue eyes, and a ready smile won Helen the hearts and minds of many, throughout her lifetime. In time, the family moved to Brookfield. Helen, then a very capable 13 year old, was active in helping everyone get settled in the old farmhouse, as well as caring for her 8 month old sister. Both parents faced the daunting task of making a living on the little farm which they had barely managed to buy. Farm work was essential, but Helen's parents believed in the importance of education; consequently, none of their children was ever kept from school or lessons. During summers out of classes, or later when she was sometimes employed at summer jobs, Helen contributed to the farm effort by taking over the housework and most of the cooking, thereby freeing her mother for outdoor chores. During the first few years on the farm, Helen was frequently called upon to help with interpreting instructions, or to help with record keeping. Her masterful script in some old ledgers is a delight to behold, and impressive too, because it was accomplished with straight pens long before the use of fountain pens. In school, Helen responded to her teachers' instructions with enthusiasm, becoming an excellent student throughout her classes and graduated from Danbury High School. She enrolled at what was then called Normal School, now known as WCSU and in two years was granted a teaching certificate. Helen's first teaching position was at Ore Hill School in Kent, which was perhaps the epitome of rural school. She was accepted and well liked by both parents and students, and met the same response when later was transferred to other schools in the western part of the state. Her teaching careerwas interrupted for an interval during which she and her husband started their own family in Brookfield; then she resumed teaching, finally retiring in 1976. Helen had a treasured collection of notes and greeting cards from many of her former pupils, and had fond memories of them and some of their families as well. She and George proudly maintained their well appointed home on Route 7 and enjoyed the visits of their friends. They were lifelong members of St. Joseph Church in Brookfield. Helen suffered a stroke in her later years, resulting in diminished mobility and loss of speech. Macular degeneration took much of her eyesight, but owing to competent loving care, she was able to enjoy short excursions from home, occasional brief visits from loved ones, and the companionship of her devoted primary caregiver, Kate Tomck. She is survived by three sons, James, Richard, and Gerald; one sister, Ruth B. Hampton, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Mass of ChristianBurial will be celebrated on Friday, November 13th at 11 am at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.
Helen Ann Benya Gereg was the daughter of John & Frances Bortnik Benya. She was born in Yonkers, New York. Raised on a dairy farm in Brookfield, Connecticut. She was the oldest of four children, Frances, Steve and Ruth. She was a school teacher for a while and then raised a family with husband George Gereg. Their children are James, Richard and Gerry.
News Times Obit -
The passing of longtime Brookfield resident, Helen (Benya) Gereg, may be scarcely noted by most people in the area today, but some of the old timers will recognize the name, designating the widow of the late George J. Gereg. Others may note that she was one of the Benya family who had lived on Happy Landings Farm when it was indeed a working farm. Helen was born February 23, 1911 in Yonkers, N.Y., the first of four children. Her parents, the late John and Frances Benya, had immigrated to the U.S. a few years earlier from Austro-Hungary, now known as Czechoslovakia. Helen's father was then a factory employee; her mother had quit her factory job to be a fulltime homemaker. Little Helen experienced loving care from her parents, especially when the prevalent childhood diseases moved rampantly through their neighborhood. Fortunately, the battles were won by the determined parents, long before vaccinations had become commonplace. Her pleasing personality showed at an early age. A steady, direct gaze from those blue eyes, and a ready smile won Helen the hearts and minds of many, throughout her lifetime. In time, the family moved to Brookfield. Helen, then a very capable 13 year old, was active in helping everyone get settled in the old farmhouse, as well as caring for her 8 month old sister. Both parents faced the daunting task of making a living on the little farm which they had barely managed to buy. Farm work was essential, but Helen's parents believed in the importance of education; consequently, none of their children was ever kept from school or lessons. During summers out of classes, or later when she was sometimes employed at summer jobs, Helen contributed to the farm effort by taking over the housework and most of the cooking, thereby freeing her mother for outdoor chores. During the first few years on the farm, Helen was frequently called upon to help with interpreting instructions, or to help with record keeping. Her masterful script in some old ledgers is a delight to behold, and impressive too, because it was accomplished with straight pens long before the use of fountain pens. In school, Helen responded to her teachers' instructions with enthusiasm, becoming an excellent student throughout her classes and graduated from Danbury High School. She enrolled at what was then called Normal School, now known as WCSU and in two years was granted a teaching certificate. Helen's first teaching position was at Ore Hill School in Kent, which was perhaps the epitome of rural school. She was accepted and well liked by both parents and students, and met the same response when later was transferred to other schools in the western part of the state. Her teaching careerwas interrupted for an interval during which she and her husband started their own family in Brookfield; then she resumed teaching, finally retiring in 1976. Helen had a treasured collection of notes and greeting cards from many of her former pupils, and had fond memories of them and some of their families as well. She and George proudly maintained their well appointed home on Route 7 and enjoyed the visits of their friends. They were lifelong members of St. Joseph Church in Brookfield. Helen suffered a stroke in her later years, resulting in diminished mobility and loss of speech. Macular degeneration took much of her eyesight, but owing to competent loving care, she was able to enjoy short excursions from home, occasional brief visits from loved ones, and the companionship of her devoted primary caregiver, Kate Tomck. She is survived by three sons, James, Richard, and Gerald; one sister, Ruth B. Hampton, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Mass of ChristianBurial will be celebrated on Friday, November 13th at 11 am at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.
News Times Obit -
The passing of longtime Brookfield resident, Helen (Benya) Gereg, may be scarcely noted by most people in the area today, but some of the old timers will recognize the name, designating the widow of the late George J. Gereg. Others may note that she was one of the Benya family who had lived on Happy Landings Farm when it was indeed a working farm. Helen was born February 23, 1911 in Yonkers, N.Y., the first of four children. Her parents, the late John and Frances Benya, had immigrated to the U.S. a few years earlier from Austro-Hungary, now known as Czechoslovakia. Helen's father was then a factory employee; her mother had quit her factory job to be a fulltime homemaker. Little Helen experienced loving care from her parents, especially when the prevalent childhood diseases moved rampantly through their neighborhood. Fortunately, the battles were won by the determined parents, long before vaccinations had become commonplace. Her pleasing personality showed at an early age. A steady, direct gaze from those blue eyes, and a ready smile won Helen the hearts and minds of many, throughout her lifetime. In time, the family moved to Brookfield. Helen, then a very capable 13 year old, was active in helping everyone get settled in the old farmhouse, as well as caring for her 8 month old sister. Both parents faced the daunting task of making a living on the little farm which they had barely managed to buy. Farm work was essential, but Helen's parents believed in the importance of education; consequently, none of their children was ever kept from school or lessons. During summers out of classes, or later when she was sometimes employed at summer jobs, Helen contributed to the farm effort by taking over the housework and most of the cooking, thereby freeing her mother for outdoor chores. During the first few years on the farm, Helen was frequently called upon to help with interpreting instructions, or to help with record keeping. Her masterful script in some old ledgers is a delight to behold, and impressive too, because it was accomplished with straight pens long before the use of fountain pens. In school, Helen responded to her teachers' instructions with enthusiasm, becoming an excellent student throughout her classes and graduated from Danbury High School. She enrolled at what was then called Normal School, now known as WCSU and in two years was granted a teaching certificate. Helen's first teaching position was at Ore Hill School in Kent, which was perhaps the epitome of rural school. She was accepted and well liked by both parents and students, and met the same response when later was transferred to other schools in the western part of the state. Her teaching careerwas interrupted for an interval during which she and her husband started their own family in Brookfield; then she resumed teaching, finally retiring in 1976. Helen had a treasured collection of notes and greeting cards from many of her former pupils, and had fond memories of them and some of their families as well. She and George proudly maintained their well appointed home on Route 7 and enjoyed the visits of their friends. They were lifelong members of St. Joseph Church in Brookfield. Helen suffered a stroke in her later years, resulting in diminished mobility and loss of speech. Macular degeneration took much of her eyesight, but owing to competent loving care, she was able to enjoy short excursions from home, occasional brief visits from loved ones, and the companionship of her devoted primary caregiver, Kate Tomck. She is survived by three sons, James, Richard, and Gerald; one sister, Ruth B. Hampton, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Mass of ChristianBurial will be celebrated on Friday, November 13th at 11 am at St. Joseph Church, Brookfield. Burial will follow in St. Peter Cemetery.
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