Helen Ann Venora

February 2, 1935 - October 30, 2016

Helen Ann (Gregaitis) Venora, 81, of Bloomfield, beloved wife of Daniel A. Venora, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2016 with her family by her side. Even as age took its toll on her body this past year, Helen’s mind and spirit never faded, and to the end she was happiest when she was with the people she loved. Helen was born in New York City on February 2, 1935, and was the daughter of the late Paul Gregaitis and Nellie (Kainauskas) Gregaitis. She graduated in 1953 from Bloomfield High School, where she met and later married her high school sweetheart. Helen attended the Teachers College of Connecticut (now CCSU) for a period of time and later worked as a telephone operator before starting a family. Helen and Dan were together for 61 years of marriage. They were one as a couple in good times and in bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. They always had each other’s back. Helen was a wonderful cook, a meticulous homemaker, an avid reader, piano player, dog-sitter for her dear Maddie, and always ready with a good joke. She was an incredibly generous person with an endearing sense of humor that made the people around her smile, laugh and feel good. Helen loved spending time on the Cape and traveling to St. Maarten. She especially loved hosting large holiday gatherings, and would always make sure the Christmas stockings, Easter baskets and presents for the grandkids were even, right down to the penny. She welcomed everyone into her home, and no one ever left Helen’s home hungry or without a bag of leftovers. Above all else, Helen devoted herself to the needs of her family members and took unending pride in their accomplishments, both great and small. Helen was a person of strength and perseverance, style and grace. She was the rock. Helen is survived by her husband Dan, her son Daniel P. Venora of West Hartford, and her son Timothy J. Venora and his wife Laurie B. Venora of West Hartford. Helen is also survived by eight grandchildren who were her pride and joy: Daniel, Macauley, Matthew, Alyssa, Nicholas, Kelley, Maggie and Ryan Venora. Helen also leaves her brother Paul V. Gregaitis and his wife Karen Gregaitis of Higganum, and many other in-laws, nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her sister Patricia Symons of Mystic. Helen and Pat would talk every day and she missed Pat greatly after her death. Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave. West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 26 Wintonbury Ave. in Bloomfield. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to everyone at the Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare for their care of Helen.