Helen (Sloyan) Jago

Helen Rita Jago (nee Sloyan), an extraordinary wife and amazing Mom, Gram, GiGi, sister and aunt, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at the age of 92.

Born and raised in Jersey City, Helen graduated in 1949 from Greenville Hospital School of Nursing where she began her career as an Operating Room nurse.  In 1951 Helen married the love of her life, Alfred Jago, and remained in Jersey City until moving to Roselle, NJ in 1960.

Always an active and involved parent, Helen served as Past President of Girls Catholic High School Parents Guild and in various other volunteer capacities at St. Joseph the Carpenter Grammar School and Church, Roselle. Helen co-founded the local chapter of Suburban Mothers of Twins and Triplets upon the birth of her twin daughters………and the need to “get out of the house”! While still raising her family, Helen returned to the field of nursing at the office of Drs. Rose & Maxwell, Oral Surgeons in Elizabeth, NJ for 20 years until her retirement.

Upon retirement, Helen and Al moved to Toms River where Helen was an active member of St. Joseph’s Rosary Society, Past Vice-President of Lakehurst Council Navy League of U.S., and a volunteer at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Lakehurst, where she took great pride in helping military families with their essential needs, logging more than 1500 hours and recognized for her service.

Always with busy hands and an active mind, Helen enjoyed baking, sewing, needlepoint, praying the Rosary, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, not to mention being a whiz at Wheel of Fortune up until her final days. A visit to “Gram’s” would always include her signature cupcakes of vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. The grand matriarch of our family, we could always rely on mom for all the family news, and boy did she always have a story to tell!

Predeceased by husband Alfred (December, 2020), infant daughter Mary, brothers John (Jack) and Richard (Dick) Sloyan, sisters Joan Keegan and Patricia Wisniewski, Helen is survived by her loving children, Janet Jago Keating, John (Joette) Jago, Laura (Charles) Durnin, and Lynne (Michael) Finan; 12 devoted Grandchildren, Brian (Kathryn) Keating, Eric (Suzanne) Keating, Daniel (Christina) Jago,  Alison (Robert) Maccione, Megan (Ralph) Cardillo, Bridget Durnin, Ryan (Amanda) Jago,  James Finan, Colin Durnin, Sean Finan, Erin Durnin and Michaela Finan, and 5 cherished Great Grandchildren: Stone, Logan, Reef, Olivia and Owen and adding two more this year. Helen also leaves behind many special nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.   

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd, Toms River, NJ 08757.  The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, March 26, 2021, 4:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, March 27th at 10:30 a.m., St. Joseph’s Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River, 08753.       

In lieu of flowers, donations to THE VALERIE FUND CHILDREN'S CANCER would be appreciated (https://www.thevaleriefund.org).

Condolences may be offered to the family by visiting: www.ryanfuneralhome.com

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