Helen Helenek Pytlik passed away peacefully at her lakeside home on the Higganum Reservoir in the arms of her loving family. Helen's large Connecticut based family was "the great love and achievement of my life". She is survived by her seven children: David Pytlik (Nancy) of Glastonbury, CT, Charlie Pytlik (Tina) of Haddam, Nancy Morin (Jimmy) of Higganum, Johnny Pytlik (Patty) of Haddam Neck, Michael Pytlik (Alane) of Higganum, Susan Krajewski (Gary) of Higganum, Marybeth Pytlik Ellison, MD (Lee) of Durham. Helen also had 20 beloved Grandchildren, 24 Great Grandchildren, and 3 Great, Great Grandchildren. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Helen was born to George and Veronika Helenek and was one of seven siblings: George, Barney, Caroline, Joseph, John and Emil, all of whom have pre-deceased her. Her husband Charles J. Pytlik was a decorated soldier in WWII and owned a construction company; they married in 1946 and she was widowed in 1975. In the almost 100 years that she lived, the world transformed tremendously and she met the future and her challenges with a bright, curious mind and a compassionate, open heart. She liked to remind her Granddaughters that she was born, incredulously, in the same decade where women were given the right to vote. Helen was as happy playing wiffleball in the back yard with her children every night as she was in a Parisian Opera House. She also loved theater, the ballet, live music and dancing. She was an accomplished swimmer and swam on the lake she grew up on for more than 95 years, as well as at beaches in RI and around the world with great joy.

Helen was extremely bright and an avid reader and graduated as Valedictorian from Middletown High School. She did not attend college until several decades later but attended Trinity College in Hartford and Holy Apostles College, and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She received her Masters from Wesleyan University in Middletown. Helen was incredibly energetic and in addition to running one of her late husband's businesses, she worked for the Red Cross in the Middletown office, and for St. Vincent De Paul Shelter for many years.  She was kind and generous and went on many relief missions for the Red Cross and travelled extensively, even to the USSR in 1980. She loved to travel for pleasure as well and visited Europe many times with her Czech cousins and with her daughter's family. Her favorite places were Venice, Rome and France.

A large part of Helen's energy was also spent in the Catholic church, and she was a member of the St. Peter's Parish and Ladies Guild for many decades. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and she felt it informed her ability to love and to help others. She often said that God gave her strength.

Helen's legacy will live on through her numerous descendants, in those she helped in her various roles, and in those who loved her dearly, but she will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday June 25th at 9:30 a.m. from Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Higganum, on 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Burr District Cemetery. Calling hours at Biega Funeral Home will be on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to St. Vincent De Paul Shelter in Middletown, or, to the American Red Cross in her honor. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.