Helen (Konet) Henyey

Helen Henyey

December 16, 1925 - May 30, 2023 (97 years young)

Helen Henyey (nee Konet) peacefully passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.  

Helen was born in a house on West 7th in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland.  That house still stands today.  Her parents Harry and Anna immigrated from a part of Ukraine that was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  While her dad walked down the hill each day to work at the steel mill, he also found time to make and drink wine with his brothers in the basement.  Her mom spent a lot of time going downtown to the Central Market and bringing home live chickens on the street car.  She graduated from Lincoln High School.  In her later years, Helen enjoyed rides down to the old neighborhood to reminisce about her Ukrainian heritage and school girl days.  She graduated from Lincoln High School.

Helen married Gene ("Snookie") in 1946.  Gene joined the Cleveland Fire Department and was a tillerman out of Engine Ladder 5 at West 25th and Clark. They built a house in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood where they raised four lively kids.  Helen was a PTA president and neighborhood party organizer along with Ruth Gaba.  Helen and Gene started a tradition of going to a rather run-down fishing camp in Ontario each July.  That tradition continues to this day with more beer drinking than fishing going on with the Steelers fans we cavort with there!

In 1971, the Henyeys moved to Brecksville and met scads of people through Welcome Wagon..  Helen became a teacher's aide and playground monitor.  She was "counseled" by the principal after it was discovered that Helen was handing out bread bags to the kids on the playground to collect dandelion leaves so she could make wine. She retired after a few years.   When Gene retired in 1979, Helen needed to get another job to find a little space!  She lied about her age (taking off 10 years) and worked at the Marriott in Beachwood serving parties.

Helen and Gene started snowbirding in 1979 and became part of a Naples, FL development where they organized parties, trips, and card games while totally ignoring their children up north.  When Gene passed away in 1997, Helen continued her Florida trips for several years.

Helen and Gene were part of a group that formed Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brecksville in 1973.  The church and its members were a big part of their lives.

Helen is survived by Gayle Turner of Westlake, Jim "favorite son" Henyey (Marcy) of Brecksville, Lauren Jirousek (Mike) of Brecksville.  She is predeceased by her mom and dad, husband Gene, and her daughter Leslie Manasco (David),  There are 9 grandchildren scattered to the wind - Melissa Rye, Michelle Stanifer (Jason), Mark Turner, Cara Jade Billings (Justin), Jim Jirousek,  Ryan Manasco (Makenzie), Julianne Jirousek (fiance Steve), Jimmy Henyey, and Jacob Henyey.  Don't forget the 6 great-grandkids - Turner and Laney Rye, Bradley, Anna Reese,and Tenley Billings, and Abram Manasco plus one Manasco on the way.  She was also cherished by Ed and Sandy Turner, Maryjean McCarthy, Moe and Olive the cats, and Kipnis the dog.

Helen will be missed for her perpetual, unwavering kindness.  She touched so many lives.  It was a privilege to know her.  God speed Helen on your new adventures with Dad and Leslie!

Private services will be held at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Helen's ashes will be interred next to her beloved Gene's and in Buckhorn Lake in Canada.

Donations in Helen’s memory can be made to the Hospice of the Western Reserve at https://p2p.onecause.com/hwr/donate who were so good to her during the past few months.  Also, the family would like to acknowledge the outstanding care she received at Villa St. Joseph in Garfield Heights.

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