Helen Heleotis Murphy, a long-time resident of Oakhurst, passed away Sunday, November 5, 2017 at the age of 100. Born June 1, 1917, she grew up in Keyport and Loch Arbour. She was the nicest, kindest, most wonderful person one could ever hope to know.
Helen was a lifelong member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, originally in Asbury Park and now Ocean Township. She was initiated into the Daughters of Penelope Aulis Chapter #195 in 1950, and served as its President from 1952-1953 during which time the organization won the Outstanding Chapter award for New Jersey District #5. Helen also served as District Governor from 1956-1957, and she remained an active member of the DOP through the 1990s by attending both district and national conventions, first as an elected delegate and later on committees and fundraising events. Helen was a long-standing member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, she sang in the church choir and taught Sunday school for many years.
Helen’s beloved husband of 53 years, John J. Murphy, passed away in January 2016. Helen and John were each other’s true loves and were the most amazing couple. While they never had children of their own, Helen was like a second mother to many of her nieces and nephews and they will all miss her very much.
Helen was the last survivor of a wonderful family of eight children. She was predeceased by her parents Harry and Bertha Heleotis and her siblings Agnes (Kiki) Despo, Sophie Skouras, Anne Davidson, Dorothy Hammond, Dr. Constantine (Connie) Heleotis, Lilyan Coniaris and James (Jim) Heleotis.
Helen is survived by twelve nieces and nephews, Bill Despo and wife DeeDee, Aris Despo and wife Stamie, Jim Skouras and wife Arlene, Harry Skouras and wife Carol, Barbara (Bobbi) Brown and husband Charles, Patty Conk and husband Tom, Anne-Marie Chrisafis and husband Taso, Harry Heleotis, Jeffrey Coniaris and wife Tara, Dr. Harry Coniaris and wife Elena, and Pamela Lara and husband John, along with their many children and grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 pm Thursday, November 9 at Fiore Funeral Home, 236 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, Ocean Township. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 10 at St George Greek Orthodox Church, 1033 W. Park Avenue, Ocean Township. Interment will follow at St. George Greek Orthodox Cemetery, 2342 West Bangs Avenue, Neptune. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Ocean Township. For condolences, please visit www.fiorefuneralhomes.com.