Obituary of Helen M. Martin

Helen Marie Martin (nee Martinak),95, passed on to her new life in Heaven on October 28, 2024. She was born on June 10, 1929 to Stephanie (Rokoksy) and Domenic Martinak (both deceased). She was also predeceased by her brothers Joe (Dot) and Bill, and her sister Peg (Steve Andrascik). Helen spent most of her early years in Waterman, PA, her father working in Lucernemines. After graduating from Homer City High School in 1946, Helen soon moved to the New Brunswick area of NJ, holding various jobs util marrying Edward Surawski (deceased) in 1952. They had three children, Sue, Tim, and Jeff. They bought a home in Edison, NJ in 1955. After divorcing Edward in 1971, Helen realized a lifelong dream of owning a small "candy store," buying the nearby Kal's Confectionary, where her warm, cheerful personality earned her many loyal customers, some of whom became lifelong friends. The store also provided her with sufficient income to raise her younger children in the family home, buying her former husband's share outright. She was justifiably proud of her home and made many improvements to it over the years. Helen was a faithful parishioner at Guardian Angel R.C. Church since its inception in 1959 until she moved away in 2019. After selling the business in 1997, she worked part-time as a cashier at PathMark Supercenter in Edison, where many of her former customers form Kal's would forego a shorter checkout line for hers in order to chat with her. After retiring in 2004, she loved gardening and spending time win her backyard enjoying her flowers and birdfeeders, and visits from family. Helen also enjoyed visits and vacations in Cape May, NJ and the nearby Delaware Bay, finally moving in 2019 to North Cape May with Sue and her husband Chris, and son Tim. Helen will be deeply and dearly missed. She is survived by sons Tim and Jeff (Dottie), daughter Sue (Chris), sisters Joan (George Bland, Ron Veyo), Vicki (Rod McDonald), and many nieces and nephews. Her family is also grateful to Bayada Home Hospice for all the kind and careful care its aides and nurses provided to Mom – and to us. Evoy Funeral Homes, Inc., PO Box 1010, 3218 Bayshore Road North, Cape May, NJ 08204 has been entrusted with arrangements. Services will be private. Condolences may be shared at www.evoyfuneralhome.com. A donation in Helen's memory may be made to Mile Train (smiletrain.org) or to a local foodbank.