Helen G Philippi

Helen G. Philippi, 95-year old mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away quietly on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in her residence at Brookdale Assisted Living in Hillsborough, NJ with her daughter by her side. Helen is survived by her son, Brian Philippi (Josephine) and daughter Laurie Caulin (William). Another son, Gary (Elizabeth), pre-deceased her in 2010. Her grandchildren include Kelly Caulin O’Connell (Sean), William Caulin, Brian Caulin (Aleah), and Jessica Philippi Reeves (Ben) and John Philippi. Great-grandchildren include Caiden, Declan, Finnegan, and Brogan O’Connell and Harvey Caulin. A Philippi Reeves great-grandson will arrive later this month. Helen was born on June 9, 1925 the 2nd child of George and Anna Guba. Along with sister Mary and brother George (both deceased) Helen grew up in Irvington, NJ. Helen graduated from Irvington High School. She was athletic and won roller-skating competitions as a teenager. She was pretty and fashionable and always had a fabulous sense of style. Helen met the love of her life, student and future dentist Harry Philippi, and they were wed on July 10, 1948. Married for 68 years until Harry’s death in 2016, they were an extraordinarily successful and happy couple. Many times and for no particular reason, Harry would take Helen in his arms and dance her across the room while singing Cheek to Cheek in her ear. They raised their children first in Union, and then settled in Chatham. Helen and Harry were long time parishioners of Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church. Luckily, Helen was the financial advisor of the family and bought the family a beach house in Barnegat Light. Four generations of great family memories were made on LBI - from crabbing on Foggy’s boat, to hitting the bell with rocks and then just hanging out with Nanny and Foggy (as they were known to the family). From big Brian to Brogy boy and everyone in-between it was always the best of times on LBI. Early October was not Nanny’s favorite time – she didn’t want the Monarch butterflies to start their migration south to warmer weather. She knew it was time to close up the beach house and settle in for the winter. It’s early October and Nanny has left us. We will miss you always, we will love you always and in our hearts it will always be you in early spring opening the house and saying it’s time to come down the shore. At this time we will not hold any services. We will hold a celebration of Nanny’s life – hopefully in the early spring. In the meantime, let us all toast to the best of times. If you wish to honor Helen’s life with a donation, please make a contribution to your favorite charity.