Helen A. French

Helen A. French, age 88, of Fairfield, beloved wife of the late Joseph R. French, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 16, 2017 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Newark, NJ, daughter of the late Peter and Clara Dolengewicz, she was raised in Bridgeport's South End, and had been a Fairfield resident since 1952. Helen worked at a variety of retail stores including, Skydells, Howland's, D.M. Read and Grand Union. She also worked in the cafeteria at Andrew Warde High School. She was one of the first members of Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church where she volunteered much of her time. Mrs. French was a member of the B.P.O.E. Elks #2220 Emerald Club. A lover of jazz clubs and dancing, she met her beloved Joseph at the Ritz Ballroom. They would dance together in their basement to big band music when Joe would return home from work. Despite all her varied interests, Helen relished her role as a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Survivors include three devoted sons, Glenn E. French and his wife Anne Graney-French of Fairfield, Mark L. French of Fairfield and Kevin S. French and his wife Carole French of Trumbull; four grandchildren, Michael Joseph French, Suzanne French, Mitchell French and Chrissy Smith, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Frank and Connie. A funeral service will be held Friday, March 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church, Fairfield with the Rev. Kun Sam Cho, officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may greet the family Thursday from 4-7 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church, 1089 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield, CT 06825 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com