Obituary: Helen B. Gurka Geraldi, 95

Helen B. Gurka Geraldi, 95, died Friday, April 20, 2012 at Bartley Healthcare in Jackson.

“Helen Honey” was born in Carteret, the daughter of the late Michael Konikiewicz and his wife, Helen (nee Uhryn). Helen Honey was a graduate of Carteret High School where she was a cheerleader and a five foot tall basketball player. After graduating, she married and raised her family in Township.

She also lived in Surf City, Waretown and Forked River before settling in Jackson in 2007.

Although Helen’s mother said her daughter was born on July 3, just before the fireworks, a mid-wife recording error gave Helen Honey three birthdays, which she exploited with gusto. Always ready for a party, Helen Honey shared her sense of humor and cooking talents with her family and friends. She was a charter member, past president and treasurer of the Ocean Bay Embroiderers’ Guild of America. Helen Honey was an organizer, a talented embroiderer, knitter and seamstress. She was a devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan. 

She was predeceased by her first husband, Walter J. Gurka; her second husband, Joseph Geraldi; a daughter, Lorraine Ballard-Young; four brothers, Stanley Konikiewicz, Walter Konikiewicz, Frank Konikiewicz and Adam Konikiewicz; four sisters, Eva Konikiewicz, Sophie Konikiewicz, Antoinette “Toni” Schneider and Julie Detlefsen; and two nephews, Michael Konik and William Detlefsen.

Those left to cherish Helen Honey’s memory are: her daughter, Carolyn Stumpf and her husband, Stephen of Freehold; two grandsons, Jon Stumpf and his wife, Maureen of Freehold, and David Stumpf and his wife, Ann of Berkeley Heights; five great grandsons, Michael, Kevin, Erik, Aidan and Devon; and two nieces, Martha Murphy and Donna Konkowitz.

Visiting at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 from 9:00 AM until the procession to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road in Freehold Township for an 11:00 AM Funeral Mass. Cremation will be private.

For those who desire memorial contributions in memory of Helen Honey may be made to the Church. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.