Helen M. (Grzybowski) Janiak

Helen Janiak, of Newton Upper Falls, died on Saturday June 9th 2012 at the age of 84. She was the beloved wife of the late John J. Janiak of Newton. She was sister of the late Stanley Gryzbowski and John Gryzbowski. Helen is survived by her sister, Hedwig Gryzbowski of Newton, her son Jan Janiak and his wife Cathy of Ashland, and her daughter Mariann Shufro of Natick. She was a loving Bubbi to Sara Collins of Brighton, Courtney Collins of Natick, and Cristine Janiak of Ashland, as well as Seth, Adam, and Arielle Shufro of Natick.
Born December 18, 1927, Helen grew up in a small village on the Lithuanian border of Poland. In 1932, she and her family were relocated to a labor camp in southern Germany where they survived the duration of World War II. Helen immigrated to the United States in 1949 where she lived and worked in the greater Boston area. She married John Janiak in 1953 and moved to Needham. In 1959, Helen and her husband built their home in Newton Upper Falls where they raised their family.
Helen's love of life and determination enabled her to overcome many of life's obstacles with grace and dignity. Along with raising her family, Helen was an employee at Alpha Industries in Woburn where she worked until 1994. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, and dancing. She was best known by friends and family for keeping an immaculate home and being an incredible story teller.
Her funeral will be held from the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Thursday June 14 at 9:30 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church, 270 Elliot St Newton Upper Falls, at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 4-8 PM. Interment will take place at Saint Mary's Cemetery, Needham. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600 Boston, MA 02114.

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