It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Helen Jacobs Morrissey, 73, on January 5, 2025, surrounded by her family after a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer. Mrs. Morrissey was the wife of Robert J. Morrissey and was born in New Haven on March 12, 1951, daughter of the late Charles O. and Mary Stuart Jacobs. Mrs. Morrissey is survived by her husband of 53 years; two sons, Ryan R. and Tiffany (Fernandez) Morrissey of Cheshire, and Brendan S. and Erin (Melvin) Morrissey of Branford. Also survived by six grandchildren, Keira, Cameron, Ryan Jr, Keegan, Claire, and Emilia, all whom she adored immensely. Also survived by one sister Elizabeth Kendall (Bruce) of Boca Raton, Florida. Mrs. Morrissey was predeceased by her brother Charles S. Jacobs and a grandson Charlie Morrissey. Mrs. Morrissey attended Hamden schools, graduating from Hamden High School in 1969 and was a member of the HHS Baton Twirling Team. After high school Mrs. Morrissey received her BS in education from CCSU in New Britain in 1973 along with a subsequent Masters from CCSU. Helen and Bob were married on September 4th, 1971, resided in New Britain, later moving to Hamden and Cheshire in 1985.
Helen began her teaching career in 1973 in the Avon Public Schools, teaching for 5 years in that system. Following a 10-year break from teaching and serving as librarian at St. Rita's School, she returned to full time teaching in Hamden at Shepard Glenn School teaching kindergarten for 25 years and retired in 2014. Helen had many friends from childhood, high school, the CCSU ladies and numerous others from many activities. Helen was active in her high school class reunion events, Stuart family reunions, and volunteered for food preparation for St. Vincent DePaul's of Waterbury. Helen developed, nurtured, and maintained close friendships from childhood, high school, CCSU gals, Book Club ,golf and dinner friends that she thoroughly enjoyed. Helen loved traveling including Ireland, The Rhine River, Alaska, Mediterranean cruise, Dominican Republic, Cape Cod, Myrtle Beach, Playa Del Sol, and many Caribbean cruises. Above all Helen thoroughly enjoyed watching her grandchildren's sporting events, concerts, cabarets, and presentations. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of YNHH and Smilow for their dedicated and gentle care of Helen during her 4-year ordeal with cancer.
Friends are invited to visit with Helen's family on Thursday January 9, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Beecher & Bennett, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden followed by her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul the VI Parish / Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 2819 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Burial will be private. After her Funeral Mass the Morrissey family would like to invite all to the Knights of Columbus, 2630 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen's memory may be made to the Smilow Cancer Center /Closer to Free Ride Fund at www.givetoynhh.org .  To send a condolence, please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com .