Obituary of Helen A. Hayward

Helen Ann Hayward, of Florham Park, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 with her family by her side. She was 83.

Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Harold George Hayward; two sons, Steven Hayward & Ronald Hayward and his wife Toni Ann; and her three daughters, Susan Hoover and her husband John, Patricia Driscoll & Laura Hayward and her fiancé Al; fourteen cherished grandchildren, Stefan, Katelyn, Ryan, Thomas, Sean, Robert, Christopher, Tyler, Matthew, Robert, Victoria, Daniel, Elizabeth & Amanda; four great grandchildren; two brothers, James Reich and his wife Diane & Thomas Reich and his wife Diane; numerous nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. 

She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Amber; one sister, Agnes Berg; and four brothers, Frank Reich, John Reich, George Reich & Charles Reich. 

Helen was born in Brooklyn, New York to the late Francis and Helen Reich where she was raised with her seven siblings. After graduating from Bay Ridge High School, Helen went on to work for Bell Telephone Company in Manhattan. 

Helen met her beloved husband and best friend Harold at The Harmony in Brooklyn, and they were married on February 10, 1962. The young family lived in Brooklyn where they welcomed the first four of their children, before settling in Staten Island in 1971, where their fifth child was born. Helen was a wonderful mother who loved her family deeply. 

Helen had a long and fulfilling career as a paraprofessional with the New York City Board of Education. For 22 years she worked helping to educate children with severe disabilities. Helen found her work tremendously rewarding. Her kindness and patience helped improve the lives and education of several generations of children. 

Helen was delighted to become a grandmother and was proud of all of her grandchildren’s accomplishments. She loved being surrounded by her family and one of the ways she showed her love and affection for everyone was through her cooking. Helen was an excellent cook and she enjoyed hosting her family for dinner each Friday for many years. 

For over twenty years, Helen and Harold maintained a second home in his native Newfoundland, Canada where they would spend many memorable summers with their family and Harold’s Canadian side of the family, who were a big part of their life. She had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the outdoors there.  

Helen and Harold were extensive world travelers and were fortunate to have taken many memorable trips to locations such as Italy, Greece, Alaska, Costa Rica and several other places throughout the Mediterranean. 

One of Helen’s most noticeable qualities was being a content and easy-going person. She loved the simple things in life and was happy doing almost anything as long as she was surrounded by her family and friends. Helen truly took care of everyone, always putting others before herself.  

Helen will always be remembered for her warmth and good-hearted, genuine nature. Although she will be deeply missed by us all, we take solace in knowing she is at peace.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the visitation for Helen to be held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Those who are unable to attend in person may attend the Mass virtually by visiting www.svmnj.org and following instructions for live-stream Mass viewing.

Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

Charitable contributions may be made in Helen's memory to the Florham Park Memorial First Aid Squad, 60 Felch Rd, Florham Park, NJ 07932