Helen B. Schenkel of Livingston, formerly of West Orange, passed peacefully with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, December 21, 2016. She was 93 years old. Helen graduated in the class of 1941 from West Orange High School. She brought humor and joy to all during her workdays in charge of financial accounts at Heritage Middle School and Livingston High School. Outside of her career, Helen was an active member of St. Philomena’s Church and choir. She loved to sing and grew up in a musical family of pianists, songwriters, singers, and record producers. She married in 1949 and moved to Livingston in 1955 where she raised two children and spoiled three grandchildren over more than 60 years. Helen traveled with St. Philomena’s choir to Rome by invitation of the Vatican in 1987, and had a cherished moment with Pope John Paul II. Helen was predeceased by her loving husband, Frank, and her brothers Frederick and Martin Bross. She is survived by her son Francis M. Schenkel and Jameelah Uqdah; daughter Catherine M. Schenkel; granddaughter Asha Ganpat and husband Jeff Tamburri; grandson Jesse Ganpat and wife Desiree; grandson Aaron Schenkel; as well as her sister Barbara Dombrowski and husband George; son-in-law Jaigobin Ganpat; nieces and nephews Gail Carton, Frank Zwigard, Linda Bross, Ruta Medina, Donna Schenkel, Diane Hyman, Martin Bross, Mary Fafara, Mary Dombrowski, George Dombrowski, Patricia Canfield, John Dombrowski, Victoria Dombrowski and wife Debbie Drury, Paul Dombrowski, Kelly Travers-Dalton; cousins Fred Bross, Mark Bross, and Peter Bross; her sisters-in-law Patty Bross and Ruth Bross; and her dear friend, Mary Wells. Private services were held and under the care of Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston.
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