Janet Helle

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Janet Mary Helle (née Henry) on December 27, 2021 at the age of 76. Janet was born on March 26, 1945 in Fairfield, Connecticut. She remained a long-time resident of the town of Fairfield, graduating from Fairfield High School, and raising her two children there for many years. More recently, Janet resided in Ormond Beach, Florida and then Keystone Heights, Florida. Though no matter how far she traveled, she still loved to spend her summer on Fairfield Beach surrounded by family and friends. 

Janet was a woman of strength, optimism, and determination. She was fascinatingly creative, unendingly kind, and perfectly silly. She was a woman with a heart that never seemed to run out of room to love others. Janet was a friend to all, she truly never met a stranger. Whether you were her coworker at American Diabetic Supply, her neighbor of 20 years, or the person seated next to her on a flight- she would meet you equally with a genuine smile, kindness, and undoubtedly, a picture of her granddaughters. 

Friends and family filled Janet’s life with joy and purpose. She was a loving sister and aunt, a devoted mother, and an adoring grandmother. She loved her family deeply, often spending hours at a time on the phone exchanging stories and catching up on busy lives. She loved to spoil her grandchildren with little presents, and nothing fulfilled her more than simply being together with family. Simply put, Janet was an unwavering light in the lives of those who loved her, and whom she loved immeasurably in return. 

Janet has gone to be with her parents, Edward and Nancy Henry, her sister Nancy Sullivan, and her beloved daughter Gia Orlando. She will be forever remembered by her son Carlo Orlando and daughter-in-law Kathleen, her brother Rich Henry and his wife Michelle, her brother-in-law Paul Sullivan and his children Scott and Wendy, and her granddaughters Nicole and Julia Orlando. 

We sincerely hope you will join us in celebrating the life of Janet Helle on Saturday, January 15 from 2:00 until 3:30PM at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, New Jersey. Services at the final resting place will be held privately. 

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, you can make a donation to the Gia Orlando Scholarship fund at Fairfield University, http://www.Fairfield.edu/give, or they can be mailed to Financial Service, Fairfield University, Bellarmine 2201073, North Benton Rd., Fairfield, CT 06824. Please include the name of the fund and in memory of Janet Helle. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janet Helle, please visit our floral store.