Helen V. (Wyka) Balchunas, born October 6, 1922 died on December 25, 2020 at the age of 98 in Inverness, Florida while battling the COVID-19 virus. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Helen grew up in Hicksville, a township of Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. The oldest of 13 children born to Polish immigrants, Helen learned the value of love and family that stayed with her throughout her entire life. After marrying her husband George, Helen moved to Floral Park, Long Island, New York, where she was a devoted mother and raised her beloved son Theodore Balchunas.
In 1977, Helen moved to Inverness, Florida with her husband where she became a business owner and member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. She was well loved by her neighbors and an active member at the Whispering Pines Villas.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Helena Wilczewska and Henryk Wyka, her husband George Balchunas as well as 12 brothers and sisters. Helen is survived by her son Theodore Balchunas, two grandchildren Jason Balchunas and Jessica (Balchunas) Ratzker, along with 3 great grandchildren, Ayla Balchunas, Emmy Ratzker and Elijah Ratzker.
Helen is affectionately known as Aunt Helen to 20+ nieces and nephews as well as their children. She will be greatly missed by all of them as the memories of her love will live on forever.
Helen’s grandchildren, Jason and Jessica, have wonderful memories spending time with their grandmother every summer. For 15 years, Jason and Jessica looked forward to those endless summers with their grandparents. Helen went above and beyond to fill those weeks with constant entertainment. They traveled to different amusement parks and Floridian attractions, highlighted by a memorable week at New Smyrna Beach. The love they have for their grandmother isn’t because she spoiled them and took them to amazing places, it’s about the special bond that they formed and the wonderful memories that were made. Some of the most special moments took place locally in Inverness, fishing or when she took the kids for evening walks in the dark with flashlights or staying up late watching Johnny Carson. Helen also sang a lullaby that her mother sang to her, which Jessica now sings to her daughter. The original song was in Polish but Helen translated it to English. Simply put, Helen was the best. She was always filled with love and ready to give it. She never stood on ceremony, she just always had unconditional love.
The family will receive friends and family on Sunday, January 3, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Chas E. Davis Funeral Home and a Funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday, January 4, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church followed by a procession to Oak Ridge Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband George.
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