Helen Milmore Essex a treasured mother, a grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on July 18, 2024. Helen was born August 4, 1927 in Brooklyn NY to the late Mary (Smith) and Thomas Milmore.
She is survived by a loving family, a sister Barbara (Durant) Cogger, daughters Lyn (Mike) Avale and Dori (Joe) Meoni, grandchildren Michael Vincent (Kim) Avale, Devin Avale, Matthew Meoni, and Jenna (Patrick) Shea, great grandchildren Riley & Shane Avale, Adara and Juliette Shea, and many nieces and nephews who will all remember her dearly as “The Queen of 4th of July”.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Donald V. Essex and brothers Thomas, John, and Robert Milmore.
After marriage and settling in Iselin NJ in the late 50’s, she was a long time parishioner and volunteer of St. Cecelia’s, and a Board Member/Treasurer for the Woodbridge Garden Club. She was proud of her Brooklyn roots and continued weekend trips with Lyn and Dori to NYC museums– most especially The Met with a special love for The Impressionists. Talented painter (Helyndor), and lover of the beach and seascapes, Helen and her girls enjoyed many summer vacations in Cape May.
Initially trained as a secretary, Helen eventually had a very successful career with Merck in Rahway for 20 years. She transitioning to executive secretary, and then a paralegal in the International Division with much admiration from co-workers and friends. After retiring in the early 90’s, her love of painting continued – sketching and painting at her favorite spot in Berkely Park. She remained an experienced gardener, avid reader, and joyful collector of depression glass.
Helen was a member of the Whiting Art Guild, the Rosary Altar Society St Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, and on the Board of Trustees in Whiting Station. She was a volunteer driver for chemo patients, and annually worked the flu shot admission table in her home neighborhood in Whiting.
As her grandchildren grew – they were always slipped some “movie and ice cream money” and she was able to attend and enjoy every important milestone and graduation.
Helen was fiercely independent, loved to travel (especially trips to England and Ireland), extremely generous, kind, thoughtful, and the best conversationalist. She put her faith and family first, and was a positive inspiration to all her family and friends.
Visitation will be Monday, July 22, 2024 from 4-7 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 10 am at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Rd, Fair Haven, NJ. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown, NJ
Flowers are welcome, or please donate to your favorite botanical garden or charity.
Comments powered by CComment