Obituary of Helen M. DeVincentis

HELEN DE VINCENTIS, a life-long resident of Hackensack, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at the age of 100 years. She was born August 29, 1916 to George and Angelina (nee Zito) DiNapoli. She was a remarkable woman who was a natural leader and actively involved in the community throughout her life. She was especially interested in education, and became the first woman President of the Hackensack Board of Education. She also received the "Man of the Year Award" from the Hackensack Chapter of UNICO, an Italian-American charitable organization – the first time the award was presented to a woman. An active parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi RC Church, she founded the St. Francis Socialites, and organized social events for Sr. Citizens of the parish. She had boundless energy, a zest for life and a sparkling personality that easily made and kept friendships across generations and for a lifetime. She was married to her loving husband John R. DeVincentis for 62 years, until his death in 2002. Devoted mother of Kathryn Bauer of Boynton Beach Florida and her late husband Charles A., Lynne Collins and her husband Michael of Paramus, NJ., and John DeVincentis, Jr. and his husband Dennis Mankin of Solebury, PA. Cherished grandmother of Dennis Sweeney of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, John Sweeney and his Fiancee Melissa Scalari of North Arlington, NJ, Amie Lee of Fairfield, Connecticut, and Brian Collins and his Wife Evalyn Collins of Washington Township, NJ. Adored great-grandmother of London, Mason, Dylan and Tyler. She will be greatly missed by countless friends and scores of children who have known her as "Grandma Helen". The funeral will begin on Friday, December 23rd at 8:45 AM from the funeral home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi R.C. Church, 50 Lodi Street, Hackensack at 10 AM, with entombment following at Hackensack Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor her memory with a memorial donation to the St. Jude Children's Hospital, or to the Kick Leuk foundation that fights pediatric leukemia (www.kickleuk.org)