Obituary of Helen J. Nikiel

Helen Joan Nikiel (née Dalton), born November 25, 1931 in Newark, NJ, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on July 30, 2020.

Helen was a graduate of St. John’s University and obtained her Master’s Degree from Southern Methodist University. Helen worked many years at RCA where she met Dick. He won her heart with his line, “What’s the haps in Newark tonight?” and the rest is history. She was the Human Resource Manager for Chubb Institute for over 20 years. Helen and Dick worked at Nostalgia Motors with their son Robert for over 20 years. She was a eucharistic minister at St. Vincent Martyr Church in Madison for many years, in addition to shepherding their funeral ministry.

Predeceased by Richard Nikiel, the love of her life of 61 years, her parents John and Alexandrine, her brother Jack and sister-in-law Joan. She is survived by her six children, Richard Nichols and Jan of Montville, Mary Patricia Davies and Will of Long Valley, Thomas Nikiel and Anita of Texas, Robert Nikiel and Tricia of Parsippany, Jeanne TenBarge and David of Peapack, and Christopher Nikiel of Long Branch. Helen is also survived by 18 loving grandchildren, Danielle, Colette, TJ, Kevin, Michelle, Will, Kristen, Lauren, Sean, Matthew, Jonathan, Thomas, Andrew, Brian, Kevin, Emma, Alex & Libby. She is survived by 13 great-grandchildren, Trey, Chase, Adriana, Crew, Kira, Ben, Caroline, George, Layla, Celestine, Roselyn, Grace, and Marilyn

She was loved by all and now is in God’s hands.

Funeral services for Helen will be held privately for her immediate family and for the safety of all and are under the direction of Madison Memorial Home. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Monday, August 3, 2020 at St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. Those that wish, may attend via live-stream by visiting www.svmnj.org and viewing the Mass on the main webpage of the church beginning at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local food bank in Helen’s memory.