Obituary of Helen Pickel

Helen Pickel (née Cerullo), a longtime Chatham Township resident, passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. She was 84.

Helen leaves behind her beloved husband of 62 years, Francis George Pickel; two devoted sons, Francis George Pickel II and his wife Letitia, and Joseph Pickel and his wife Richelle; two brothers, Albert and Richard Cerullo; one sister, Dolores Stricchiola; six cherished grandchildren, Lauren, Joseph, Victoria, Francis George III and his wife Rayna, Christopher, and Kayla; one treasured great-grandchild, Mara; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Lillian Mozer.

Helen was born in Passaic on January 2, 1940, to the late Joseph and Josephine Cerullo (née Kastella). She grew up in Passaic until the age of 7 where, following the passing of their mother, her father placed her and her sisters under the care of the Sisters of St. John the Baptist in Gladstone. In Gladstone, Helen attended and went on to graduate from Mount St. John Academy.

Helen met her future husband, George, through George’s sister. The couple had their first date at the movies and had been inseparable ever since, marrying on February 4, 1962, and settling in Chatham to bring up their two sons.

Helen had part-time jobs as a sales associate in retail stores throughout the years, but her focus was always her family. Having her kids and later her grandkids all together at her home brought a special joy to Helen’s life, and she treasured the memories they shared during the holidays. Even after her children had moved out of the home and created their own families, Helen always cherished phone calls from them. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and family down the shore to Wildwood and LBI, Atlantic City, seeing Broadway shows in New York City, taking an airplane ride through the Grand Canyon, and cruises to the Caribbean just to name a few. She was a devoted supporter of her grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting events and dance recitals.

Helen will be remembered for being a low-key, simple, caring, and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be deeply missed, but her family takes comfort in knowing that she is at peace.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to a visitation for Helen on Friday, April 5, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Helen’s name to:

Overlook Foundation

46 Beauvoir Avenue

Summit, NJ 07901

overlookfoundation.org/donate-now/