Helene Shay Obituary

Helene Hughes Shay, 90, of West Hartford, beloved wife for 67 years of the late Robert J. Shay, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 21, 2023. Born in Waterbury, on December 1, 1932, the daughter of the late Charles K. and Helene (McGrail) Hughes and fourth of fifteen children. Helene was raised in Waterbury and was a 1950 graduate of Lewis High School in Southington. Helene and her beloved husband Robert, who passed on September 22, 2020 were a perfect match. Both were born on the same day; six hours and two states apart. They married on July 4th, 1953 and were completely devoted to each other. They loved their family as well as polka dancing, long road trips, skiing and the CT and NJ shores. In addition to her family and all things Irish, Helene's lifelong passions were the labor movement, women's rights and equality, the Democratic party and the people of Connecticut. She worked for AFSCME COUNCIL 4 AFL-CIO from 1980 until 2004, first as a Union Rep/Organizer, Service Rep, Staff Rep and finally as Area Coordinator. Prior to that, she was a Fact-Finding Examiner for many years with the State of CT Department of Labor. Helene was an active member and officer of CT chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and a "Woman of the Year". She was also the proud recipient of CLUW's Trailblazer Award in 2016. On the occasion of her retirement from AFSCME Council 4 in 2004, Helene was honored for her 35 years of dedication and service to the labor movement. She then became an Alternate Labor Arbitrator for the State Board of Mediation & Arbitration. Helene loved her many sisters and brothers in the labor movement including Maria Alfonso, Bonnie Liedtke-McIntyre, Lillian Sewell, Dawn Margelot, Victoria de Frank, Carol Censki, Betty Martin Kuehnel, Sandy Dearborn, the late Marie King, Jim French, Kevin Murphy, Jim Jump, Paul Wallace and Wayne Marshall. She served the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women from 2010-2016; the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors from 2016-2018 and the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity from 2018-2022. Helene received a gubernatorial appointment to the Metropolitan District Commission and served as a commissioner from 2013 - 2016. She was a member of the Board of Directors and various committees of the United Way Capital Area (UWCA) for 20 years and was also active for many years in the Town of Windsor on the Democratic Town Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Helene loved life and enjoyed every single day. She was smart, caring, kind, generous, funny, brave, independent, fiercely loyal and tough as nails. She had boundless energy and thought sleeping was overrated. She never declined an invitation (or dessert of any kind especially tiramisu) and was always going somewhere, doing something. She was crazy about sports and big fan of UCONN Women's Basketball, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots She loved her husband, children and grandchildren above all else. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and niece. She touched us all and made our days and lives brighter. We will carry her in our hearts always. Helene is survived by her loving children, Susan H. Shay of West Hartford, Robert J. Shay, III of Deer Valley, UT, Karen A. Sullivan and her husband Richard of Basking Ridge, NJ, and Russell J. Shay and his wife Jenifer of Vail, CO. She was "Nannie" to her adored grandchildren Nicole Sullivan and fiance, Michael Lupinacci, Russell Sullivan, Ali Sullivan, Sierra Shay, Jack Shay, Bella Shay and Ricky Shay, her brothers, Wilbur (Bill) Hughes of Watertown, Peter Hughes and his wife Catherine of Prospect, Ralph Hughes and his wife Susan of Stafford Springs, George Hughes and his wife Kathy of Goose Creek, SC, Timothy Hughes and his wife Rosemary of New Britain, her sisters, Geraldine "Gerrie" Vinez of Plano, TX and Rosemary Shay of Niantic, and her sister-in-law, Eileen Rogers of Bonita Springs, FL. Aunt Helene was the favorite aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She leaves her most cherished friend and labor sister Judy Gostin along with close friend Wendy Gervais. Helene also leaves her dearest and oldest friends from high school and bridesmaids - Lorraine Murphy, Felicia Michanczyk and Madeline Badgely. Helene's children are eternally grateful to her amazing caregivers and companions Leontine Don and Shayde Breedlove who shared much laughter and happiness with her. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Charles Hughes, Francis Hughes, Thomas Hughes, John Hughes, Paul Hughes, her sisters, Diane Bianchi and Alice Provenzano, her sister-in-law, Jane Harrison, her brothers-in-law, Walter E. Rogers and Harry Harrison and her beloved aunts Rosemary Lancaster and Alice Moulton. She is now in heaven talking up a storm and polka dancing with her beloved Robert. We will love and miss her forever. Helene's family will receive friends on Sunday, August 27, 2023, from 2-5PM at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon, CT 06001. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 10AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06119. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Helene's memory may be made to Logan's Foundation for Childhood Cancer or United Way of Central and Northeastern CT. For condolences, please visit www. carmonfuneralhome. com.