Helen Fede, 96, of Verona, N.J., passed away on September 17, 2019. Visitation will be on Sun., Sept. 22 from 2-6 p.m. at Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, N.J. Services begin on Mon., Sept. 23 at 8:45 a.m. at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. at St. Lucy’s Church, Newark, N.J., with entombment at Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, N.J. Memories and condolences may be shared at shookscedargrove.com. Born and raised in Newark to the late Carmen and Ida DeBlasi, Helen lived in Belleville, N.J. and West Caldwell, before settling in Verona. She was a Lunch Aide with the Newark Public Schools for almost 20 years before retiring. Her strong work ethic carried over into her personal life as family and tradition were always nearest to her heart. Having had eight children, life was not always easy for Helen, as unfortunate circumstances would lead to, she and her husband raising only six of those children into adulthood. Helen and “Peeps” found the strength to endure and chose to honor the lives of their deceased son and daughter by making certain that everyone who met them knew how very special they were to this family. A woman of strong faith, Helen looked to Saint Gerard for guidance and asked that he pray over her family and friends. She was incredibly proud of her surviving six children, Carole, Lois, Michael, Carmen, Gina, & Jerry, and so loved to share fun stories and memories about their childhood growing up on Garside Street in Newark. There isn’t enough space on page or enough words in any dictionary to adequately convey the 96-year long legacy she leaves behind with all of us. Helen is predeceased by her husband Anthony “Peeps,” her daughter, Carole, and her son-in-law Tommy Fields (loving husband to her daughter, Lois). In addition to her daughter Lois, Helen is survived by her son, Michael, and wife, Janine, her son, Carmen, and wife, Carol, her daughter, Gina, and husband, Dino, and her son, Jerry, and his husband, Andrew. Helen also leaves behind eight grandchildren including their spouses and significant others, Vincent & Eileen, Anthony & Milly, Mario & Nicole, Jeremy, Mikey, Monica, Gene, Joey. So many fond memories are also shared amongst Helen’s great-grandchildren, Samantha, Vincent, Alexis, Corrine, Anthony, Daniella, Gabriella, Sophia, and Lucky. She also survived by her caring brother, Michael DeBlasi, and wife, Mary, sisters-in-law, Geraldine Fede & Angela Fede. A very special heart-felt thank you to our beloved Maria & our extended family of people who assisted in Helen’s loving care, including our Roseanne & our Gianna, nieces, Dina and Patricia, as well as Zuzanna, Norma, Gloria, Ruthie, and Janet. We are so very blessed to have had you all be such an integral part of Helen’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org.