Helen A. Heyke

MANSFIELD - Helen A. (Kogut) Heyke, 96, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 25, 2014, with her family by her side. Helen was born in Willimantic on April 8, 1918 to Joseph and Antonina (Wojnas) Kogut. She was also the loving wife of the late Captain Henry A. Heyke. Pilot of the superfortress "CITY OF HARTFORD", he and his 11 crewmembers became "missing in action" during the Pacific Theater. They were affectionately known as "Mr. and Mrs. HAH HAH"! Devoting her life to her family and community, she was Secretary of the Polish Woman's Alliance for over 30 years and many social organizations in the Willimantic area. She loved polka dancing with her many friends and enjoyed many crafts. Her talents included sewing, counted-cross stitch, needlepoint and creative heirloom Christmas decorations for her family and friends. She leaves behind her daughters, Barbara Gaffney Lupa and her husband Walter F. of North Carolina and Caroline Dyer and her husband Sheldon of Mansfield; grandchildren, Elizabeth Gaffney, Michael Gaffney and his wife Dr. Keri Peterson, Kenneth Gaffney and his wife Kristine, Darren Gaffney and his wife Mary, Stephanie Ryan and her husband Patrick, Walter C. Lupa and his wife Dr. Maria Concetta Lupa, Christopher Dyer and his wife Carrie, David Dyer and his wife Heidi, Deborah Aiudi and her husband Franklin Aiudi, Jr., Katherine Ordinas-Lewis and her husband Jose, 14 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Helen also leaves behind a sister Mary M. Laramie of Vernon. Brothers, Walter Kogut, Alfred Kogut, Leo Kogut, and a sister, Bridget Sawyer, predeceased her. The family wants to give special thanks to Dr. James Doran and staff for their gracious and thoughtful care of Helen and to the VNA East Hospice for there compassionate and tender care to Helen in her final days. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name may be made to the VFW www.vfw.org or VNA East Hospice, 34 Ledgebrook Dr., Mansfield, Ct. 06250. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com . MANSFIELD - Helen A. (Kogut) Heyke, 96, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, July 25, 2014, with her family by her side. Helen was born in Willimantic on April 8, 1918 to Joseph and Antonina (Wojnas) Kogut. She was also the loving wife of the late Captain Henry A. Heyke. Pilot of the superfortress "CITY OF HARTFORD", he and his 11 crewmembers became "missing in action" during the Pacific Theater. They were affectionately known as "Mr. and Mrs. HAH HAH"! Devoting her life to her family and community, she was Secretary of the Polish Woman's Alliance for over 30 years and many social organizations in the Willimantic area. She loved polka dancing with her many friends and enjoyed many crafts. Her talents included sewing, counted-cross stitch, needlepoint and creative heirloom Christmas decorations for her family and friends. She leaves behind her daughters, Barbara Gaffney Lupa and her husband Walter F. of North Carolina and Caroline Dyer and her husband Sheldon of Mansfield; grandchildren, Elizabeth Gaffney, Michael Gaffney and his wife Dr. Keri Peterson, Kenneth Gaffney and his wife Kristine, Darren Gaffney and his wife Mary, Stephanie Ryan and her husband Patrick, Walter C. Lupa and his wife Dr. Maria Concetta Lupa, Christopher Dyer and his wife Carrie, David Dyer and his wife Heidi, Deborah Aiudi and her husband Franklin Aiudi, Jr., Katherine Ordinas-Lewis and her husband Jose, 14 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. Helen also leaves behind a sister Mary M. Laramie of Vernon. Brothers, Walter Kogut, Alfred Kogut, Leo Kogut, and a sister, Bridget Sawyer, predeceased her. The family wants to give special thanks to Dr. James Doran and staff for their gracious and thoughtful care of Helen and to the VNA East Hospice for there compassionate and tender care to Helen in her final days. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name may be made to the VFW www.vfw.org or VNA East Hospice, 34 Ledgebrook Dr., Mansfield, Ct. 06250. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .