Patricia Halo Helck, age 76, of Cranbury, NJ, died Saturday January 11, 2024, after a long illness.
Born in Newark, Pat was a graduate of Archbishop Walsh High School, Rutgers University, and Rider University, where she earned her Master’s degree in Education.
She is survived by her children, Ethan Halo, Emily Helck (Matt), Miranda Helck (Spencer), Lizzie Helck (Kevin), Olivia Helck, and Penelope Helck; and her great aunt, Helene Pritchard. She is predeceased by her husband, Timothy Helck; her lifelong best friend, Kathy Stoyko; and her parents, Paul and Edna Halo.
Pat grew up in Newark and Irvington. She was proud to assist her father, Paul, with his jewelry business. She told stories of riding the Newark city buses as a girl, delivering sparkling gems wrapped in brown paper lunch bags all over the city.
Pat’s children were a source of profound joy and meaning for her. After adopting their three youngest daughters from China, she and Tim studied and celebrated Chinese culture in numerous ways.
Unfailingly generous, Pat dedicated many thousands of hours of her life to volunteer work, and encouraged a life of service in everyone she knew. Her efforts ranged from teaching religious education, to cultural programming, to empowering girls in creativity and leadership. She was especially proud to found the GuanYin Project, a community service program and award for adoptees from China and their families. A Girl Scout leader for more than a decade, she guided dozens of girls through cookie sales and badges and camping trips—and, if you knew Pat, you know the camping trips were more about glitter and s’mores than tents and bug spray.
One of her great passions was helping children explore art and creativity, and she created innumerable educational and artistic projects for kids. If you were lucky enough to attend one of the many events in which she ran the crafts, you might remember some of her favorite projects like silk painting or crepe paper cherry blossoms.
One of Pat’s favorite things was music, and she loved singing along in the car. Her taste was wide-ranging; discriminating but never snobby. In an afternoon around town with Pat, you might sing the praises of rock & roll with Lou Reed, shake it off with Taylor Swift, or burn through the badlands with Bruce Springsteen.
She loved animals deeply, and was guardian to many dogs and cats during her life. She loved observing and caring for the many songbirds who visited her backyard feeders. In her final months, she was comforted by her beloved cats, Pekoe, Rosemary, and Sage.
Pat made a difference in the lives of so many. Those who had the great fortune of knowing her will always remember her sparkling creativity, deep generosity, and tireless dedication to the people and causes she loved. She will be missed dearly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at St. Paul Parish of Princeton.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to CancerCare by visiting www.cancercare.org/donate-now.
Arrangements are under the direction of A.S. Cole Son & Co., 22 North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ.
