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SLIDE SHOW: Happy 101st Birthday Helen Stachowski!

2/8/18 •

*Photo by Katherine Massopust & Carolyn Maxwell

SOUTH AMBOY/PERTH AMBOY – The Amboy Guardian recently had the pleasure of attending the 101st Birthday Celebration for Perth Amboy Resident Helen Stachowski who now is a resident at Venetian Care and Rehabilitation Center in South Amboy. Helen was featured on the front page of the February 2018 Venetian Voice Newsletter.

Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz attended the celebration with some City Officials. Mayor Diaz presented Helen with a citation honoring her long life and milestone birthday.

In the newsletter, it stated that Helen was one of seven children and the first-born girl. When she turned 14, she had to quit school and get a job to help out at home. Some of the jobs she worked at were at a shirt factory and a brassiere factory which she did not stay long at.

She delighted in telling us how she met her husband while she and her best friend were sitting at a place downtown. A car drove by with two young men who waved at them. One was tall and handsome and the other was short and handsome. Helen turned to her friend and said, “I’m taking the tall one.”

She became mischievous recalling that she could be a bad girl when she was growing up. She smiled talking about how she climbed up on the roof of her mother’s house to play to her mother’s dismay. She recalled that one time when she was sledding, she went underneath a truck just missing the tires.

She recalled that her parents came over from Hungary on the same boat but didn’t know each other at that time.

Growing up, one of her fondest memories was going to the Waterfront and taking the Ferry which went from Perth Amboy to Staten Island. Other remembrances were going to the market with her mother. She laughed recalling her mother walking home with a chicken under her arm.

Helen has traveled to Spain, Italy, and Ireland. In Ireland she remembers running to see the ducks going upstream. When asked if she kissed the Blarney Stone, she said, “No, way! You have to climb up those stairs and lean backwards to kiss it! No way!”

Helen would take her daughter to Manhattan to see a movie and then a live show which they both enjoyed very much.

Helen’s daughter, Arlene Ballak talked about how her mother made beautiful crocheted items. Helen said she also made afghans which she would sell for $5.00 at the market. Ballak added that her mother made her own clothes which were beautiful and hand embroidered handkerchiefs of which all her family still have.

We asked Helen about some of her favorite foods. She answered that she loves stuffed cabbage. She also loves szalonna, which is pork and bacon on a stick which drips on to rye bread. She also likes chicken, especially chicken paprikash. Scrambled eggs are an every day favorite. When she was home, the family would come on Sundays for a pot roast meal with rice.

We asked her what she attributes her long life to, and she simply answered, “Greasy food.”

We want to acknowledge Helen’s devoted family for their warm welcome. We can see the mutual love and respect they show each other.

Friend Debbie Foley bought a birthday cake which was shared with staff and other residents. The celebration continued in the Venetian Community Room. Helen’s family and friends were seated at a large table which were filled with balloons and flowers. Also in attendance were the residents and staff of Venetian to make this event special.

Helen was serenaded by lounge singer Anthony Didino who entertained during the party. He sang to her: “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”

We want to thank Helen and her family and Debbie Foley who called us, so we could be part of this special celebration. Happy Birthday Helen and enjoy many more!

(L to R) Kristin Billich, Great Granddaughter; Tom Billich, Grandson; Arlene Ballak, Daughter; Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz; Kim Billich, Great Granddaughter. (Front) Helen Stachowski

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