Fair Haven, VT – Helen Fedor passed away peacefully at her home in Fair Haven (Benson) Vermont on August 14th 2026. She was born Helen Zielenski on September 5th 1938 in Easthampton, Massachusetts to Willam Zielenski and Stella Anne Marchewka. She was married on September 6th 1965 to Charles Martin Fedor. Helen is predeceased by her husband, sisters Marian Wheeler and Stella Belisle, and her grandson Cameron Fedor. Helen is survived by her sisters Rose Wojtkielewicz, Katherine Walaszek, Priscilla Behidj, her brother William Zielenski, her son Edward and grandchildren Emily Samlall and Sarah, her son Robert and grandchildren Dylan and Logan. And she is also survived by her son John Fedor-Cunningham and son-in-law David Fedor-Cunningham with whom she lived for the last 7 years.
Helen was a wonderful mother, philanthropist and business woman. Helen was born and grew up in Easthampton, Massachusetts, where she spent most of her life. In recent years, Helen split her time between her homes in Fair Haven and Orwell, Vermont during the summers, with weekends on Otis Reservoir; and during the winters, she split her time between her homes in Marco Island, Florida and Ilha de Itamaracá, Pernambuco, Brazil. She watched the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” every day, because, like the lead character in the movie, she had started a new life in a foreign country, making new friends and having great adventures. Helen loved to travel, and always celebrated her birthday and anniversary in Old Quebec City, where she honeymooned in 1965.
As a young girl, growing up in and immediately after the Great Depression, she learned business skills and developed great imagination. She thought that she was invincible, and at age 5 had tried to be Super Man, holding back her father’s truck, and almost being squished between the truck and the barn. In the early 1950s, her future husband interviewed her to be a bookkeeper for Clark Motors, a business that she and Charles eventually purchased and ran until she was nearly 80 years old. Helen had an eye for investments, and together with her husband invested in real estate, businesses including a jewelry store, and started real estate investment companies. Helen was a very hard worker, always getting up early and working long hours, and this continued into her 80s. She enjoyed hard work.
Helen also loved her children, grandchildren, and family, as well as fast cars and pets. One of her favorite cars was a late 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass SS Hurst, yellow with black strips over the hood and roof, which she often drove much too fast. In the last few years of her life, she discovered the acceleration of electric cars, and often told her son John to “floor it” so that she could enjoy the feeling of being pressed into her seat from the acceleration. Helen had dogs of her own over the years, but always babysat her children’s dogs and cats, and very much enjoyed having pets in her life. Helen loved her children and did everything possible to help them in life. She gave great advice. And always supported her family. Helen believed in education, and sent her children to the best schools, and helped them study to achieve the most that they could in life. She sometimes said that she attended Deerfield Academy twice as an adult, after helping her sons study and do homework. Helen loved her parents and siblings. When her mother was in a nursing home, Helen visited daily and organized care. When her husband developed Alzheimer’s, she cared for him at home for nearly 9 years, and visited him all day every day in the Soldier’s Home until the end. She was fearless and dedicated to her family.
Helen loved to smile and always had a twinkle in her eye. She rarely missed a moment to be a little naughty, but always smiled and had a twinkle in her blue eyes during those moments. And she was spunky – at a Samba dance in Brazil in 2020, she tripped on uneven tile, and broke her jaw. She wanted to come to the USA for treatment because the doctors speak English. But when she couldn’t get a flight out until 2 days later, she returned to the carnival festivities the next day, with the broken jaw, and danced Forró with friends. She was always an absolute joy to those around her. She will be remembered as always smiling and making everyone nearby smile. She even smiled in her sleep. At Otis, she lifted and handed every stone to the mason to build the retaining walls at the cottage, and is smiling in every photo. She will remain in the hearts of all who knew her, forever.
Calling hours will be held Monday August 17 from 5 to 7pm at Mitchell Funeral Home in Easthampton. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 18 at noon at Our Lady of the Valley Church followed by burial in St. Stanislaus Cemetery all of Easthampton.
Mitchell Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. www.mitchellcofuneralhome.com
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