Helen M Smith

Helen Kocot Smith passed peacefully after a long illness at her home in Darien on Saturday, October 25th surrounded by her family. She was 93. Born in Stamford, she was the daughter of Rose Boleslaw and Matteus Kocot. She was a graduate of Stamford High School and the Stamford Hospital School of Nursing. After a short career in nursing, Helen semi-retired to the life of a home maker. She was an uncomplicated woman, and throughout her life she could always be defined by her indefatigable commitment to her family, her work and her Catholic faith and church. She had an unwavering and unconditional love for and loyalty to all three, which served her well as she met the challenges of life and aging head on. There was never any self-pity or complaining as she endured many complications of her conditions, knowing she had earned a better life because of the commitments she kept. She was predeceased by her husband Lawrence, and brothers Matthew and Thadeus, and by her sisters Nellie and Lucy. She is survived by her sons Thomas and Terrence of Darien, Peter (Leta) of Stamford, daughter Karen Roman (Michael) of Seymour CT and daughter Marcia. She leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Michael and Matthew Roman, Peter and Michael Smith, and Terrence Smith Jr., 2 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews of multiple generations. Services will be held at The Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue in Stamford on Thursday October 30th from 4p.m. until 8p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church on 305 Washington Blvd in Stamford on Friday October 31st. The family and Helen would like to thank all of the people who helped her along the way, including but not limited to the following: Drs. Peter Hughes, Shanthi Devaraj, Brian Hines, Josephine Velasquez, Katherine Sandhu, and Sarah Gamble, Stacy Rittenberg and Delali Goka. Comfort Keepers of Greenwich, Senior Helpers of Stamford, and Home Instead of Norwalk provided Helen with the incredibly selfless and devoted caregivers who helped her maintain quality of life on her own terms until the end. We are equally grateful to her multiple friends who provided support as she progressed in her illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Holy Name of Jesus Restoration Fund, The Stamford Hospital Foundation and or Dr. Sarah Gamble's Friends in Africa Medical Foundation. The family has entrusted the funeral arrangements to Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue, in Stamford. If you care to leave an online condolence message please sign the family guestbook on www.bosakfuneralhome.com or visit the funeral home on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.

Helen M Smith

October 12, 1923 - October 25, 2014