In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite, RBC ’53 Grad, Former Holy Cross School Board Member, Helen Cangialosi, 87

Longtime Rumsonite Helen Jeffrey Cangialosi passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, Jan. 22. She was 87.

Born Feb. 16, 1935 in Red Bank, Helen was the daughter of Jacob and Kathryn Jeffrey and grew up in Shrewsbury. She attended St. James Elementary School and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School (RBC) in 1953. After high school she attended the Washington School for Secretaries and worked in New York City.

Helen met her husband Tom on a blind date and they married on Jan. 29, 1955. Shortly after marriage, they moved to Washington D.C., where Tom was enrolled in Georgetown Dental School. There they began building a beautiful life that spanned seven decades. In 1961, they headed back to New Jersey to be near a large extended family and friends.

Helen Cangialosi
Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home

“Helen was known for her kindness, generosity, playful sense of humor, and genuine concern for others. People were the fuel that made her go and her family was the joy of her life. While raising four children, she was a board member of Holy Cross Elementary School in Rumson, the chairwoman of the annual Holy Cross Antique Show, an active member in the PTA, and the Alter Guild at Holy Cross Church. Her enthusiasm and curiosity won her many friends world-wide. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother. Helen was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren each of whom she had a unique and special relationship with. This also includes all of
her four-legged children and grandchildren.”
Loved ones of Helen Cangialosi in her obituary

She was the office manager for her husband’s orthodontic practice in Shrewsbury from 1980 to 2016. In her later years she became an avid runner and traveled extensively with her husband serving as the President of the Wives Club of the American Board of Orthodontics.

Helen was pre-deceased by: her parents, Jacob and Kathryn; her brother, John; and son, Stephen, lost on 9/11.

She is survived by: her adoring husband of 68 years, Dr. Thomas J. Cangialosi; three children, Betsy and her husband Richard, of Dorset, VT, Tom and his wife Kathleen, of Middletown, and Kathleen and her husband Brian, of Tinton Falls; 12 grandchildren, Willy, Lizzy, Sam, Emily, Jeffrey, Peter, Tara, Julia, Katie, Thomas, Maggie, Michael; and two great grandchildren, Aelyn and Liam.

“Though she will be missed immensely Helen’s family finds comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with all of her family members that have passed before her and is finally at home with our Lord Jesus.”

Family and friends may visit from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Church in Rumson on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m.. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Red Bank Catholic High School.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Helen’s caregivers Christine, Sheryl and Velma, all of whom cared for her with great kindness and compassion.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home