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STAMFORD, Conn. – Helen Babula, 98, of Stamford, died on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Babula was born in Stamford on Dec. 15, 1916, to Anatazy and Adela Grocka Zajkowski.
At the age of 2, her family returned to Poland, where she was educated through her teens. In 1935, her parents sent Babula and her eldest brother, Ziggy, back to the U.S., fearful of the borders closing due to future war. The two teenagers,18 and 20, settled in New Jersey for a few years with an uncle and his family.
Babula eventually moved to Stamford, where she met her husband, Stanley Babula. They married in 1939 at Holy Name Church in Stamford and enjoyed 61 years of marriage before his death in 2000. After raising two daughters, Babula worked at Gimbels as a sales associate for 18 years until retirement in 1977. In 1985, she and her husband moved to Peachtree City, Ga., to be closer to family and enjoy a warmer climate. There they made new friends and were active in the Pioneer Club and Holy Trinity Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Stanley, and two brothers.
She is survived by a brother in Newark, N.J.; a daughter in Muscle Shoals, Ala.; a daughter in Dallas; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 23, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Ave., Stamford. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at the Holy Name of Jesus Church, 369 Washington Blvd., Stamford. Interment will follow at St John Roman Catholic Cemetery in Darien.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, P.O. Box 96486, Washington, DC 20077-7424 or to a charity of one’s choice.
To leave online condolences, visit the Bosak Funeral Home website here.
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