Helen Niski

Helen “Ella” Subataitis Niski Weid Drive, Naugatuck Helen “Ella” Niski, 100, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2021. She was the widow of Edward "Baldy" Niski. Ella was born on October 31, 1920 in the Brooklyn section of Waterbury, CT to the late John Subataitis Sr. and Mary (Ivanacicius) Grebas. Helen lived in Naugatuck since 1953. Leading an active life, she was a member and past President of the Crusader VFW Post #1946 Women's Auxiliary, the Naugatuck Chapter 495 American Association of Retired Persons, the Evergreen Club 50 of Waterbury Hospital, Beacon Valley Grange #103, Excelsior Pomana Grange #7, an associate member of Veterans Who Care, Senior Women’s Friendship Club of Naugatuck and Naugatuck Senior Center. She was a past member of the Lithuanian Club #48 of Waterbury and past State President of the Connecticut Chapter American War Mothers. In 1994 Helen was an Auxiliary post #1946 Member of the year and in 1987 she was Naugatuck Mother of the Year. Ella volunteered at Beacon Brook Health Center, West Haven Veteran’s Administration Hospital and Naugatuck Chapter Red Cross Bloodmobile. Helen very much enjoyed marching in local parades, she worked on Buddy Poppy Drives for Memorial and Veteran’s day. She was a long-time communicant of St. Hedwig's Church and also baked an amazing apple pie. She is survived by two sons; Alphonse Niski Sr. and his wife, Cathy, from Marlboro, MA and Scott Niski and his wife Leanne, from Warren, RI, three daughters; Elaine Talevi and her late husband Dave of Wells, ME, Gay Pettorini and her husband John, from Kennebunk, ME, Linda Kemmerly and her husband Douglas, from Chatham, MA, ten grandchildren; John, Al, Karen, Sharon, David, Jason, Marissa, Leia, Sage and Sophia and fourteen great grandchildren; Joseph, David, Jack, Olivia, Brandon, Eva, Lydia, Emma, Lauren, Jason, Joanna, Zyra, Jack and Eli. In addition to her husband and parents, she is predeceased by her two sons; Edward and Milo and two brothers; John and Joseph and her granddaughter, Vanessa. Memorial Contributions may be made to the David F. Talevi Foundation, P.O. Box 67, Wells, ME 04090. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck, CT. Calling Hours will be held prior to Mass from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770.