Helen Millaras
Quaker Hill — Helen Evangeline Krawiec Millaras was peacefully led into eternal life by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Saturday Oct. 6, 2018.
Helen was born on Dec. 18, 1918, the daughter of Frances Mroczek and Ignatius Krawiec. She grew up in a close-knit community on Woodbridge Street in Hartford, Conn. Helen was a graduate of Saints Cyril and Methodius School and went on to graduate from The Saint Frances Hospital School of Nursing in 1940.
Being the strong and courageous woman that she was, she responded in 1942 to Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s declaration of war. After receiving the commission of ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps, Helen reported to duty at the United States Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she was soon assigned to be Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr.’s personal nurse, thus meeting his mother, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt.
Helen’s next tours of duty led her to New York and California and finally brought her to the South Pacific, where she was stationed on Banika in the Russell Islands, Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Noumea New Caledonia. The time she spent here imprinted many special memories on Helen’s heart.
She returned to the States and was assigned to St. Alban’s Naval Hospital in New York, where she met her future husband, Lt. Peter T. Millaras. She exited the Navy as a medaled lieutenant commander.
Upon returning to civilian life Helen married Peter T. Millaras. She worked as a private duty nurse while they raised their family in Quaker Hill, Conn. Upon retirement, she volunteered at Uncas on Thames Hospital. Helen was the president of the Private Duty Nurse Association as well as the local and state chapters of the Polish Junior League. She was a member of the WWII Women’s Memorial, Enosis Society, Daughters of Penelope Dione Chapter, and St. Sophia Senior Citizens. She was an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church’s community. She was involved in the church choir, rosary group, CCD program and Family Parish Group and was president of the Ladies Guild. She served on The Board of Directors of AHEPA Housing.
Helen was an exuberant, life-loving woman who was truly happiest when spending time with her family and friends. She loved to laugh and was always called upon by her friends to tell a good joke, which she did without fail. Helen is survived by her son, T. Peter Millaras, daughter Andrea Millaras Deedy and granddaughter Taylor Deedy. Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years Peter T. Millaras.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Helen’s name to Spiritual Renewal Services at 11 Bath St., P.O. Box 6, Norwich, CT 06360, Ladies Guild of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, or St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church Young at Hearts Group.
Calling hours will be at Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Quaker Hill. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London. Please visit www.Byles.com for directions or to sign the guestbook or to share a memory.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28