Obituary of Helen C. Syring

Helen C. Syring, 95, of Barefoot Bay, Vero Beach and Melbourne, Florida, formerly of Stamford, Connecticut, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 after a short battle with cancer. She is survived by her sisters, Frances (Sokolowski) Stelmach, Carol Ann (William) Berger and Jeannette (Kuznoff) Maceluch, and nephews and nieces, Richard Stelmach, Warren Maceluch, Christopher Maceluch, Noel Maceluch Buckner, Denise Maceluch, Joel Berger, Marc (Cheryl) Berger and Lynn (Timothy) Berger-Burtnett. She was preceded in death by Frederick Syring, her husband of 43 years, in 1988 and her brothers, Ramond Sokolowski and William Charles Kuznoff. Helen was born on January 28, 1924 in Stamford to Stanley and Anna (Winski) Sokolowski/Kuznoff, both of whom preceded her in death. After graduating from Stamford High School in 1941, she married Fred, the love of her life, who had been deployed in the United States Army overseas in World War II. On his return, they resided in Stamford until Fred was transferred with the Schick Company to the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. They returned to their home in Darien, Connecticut where Helen was employed at the Olin Corporation, law firms and other businesses in administrative, secretarial and inventory positions. Helen also completed computer training courses and received her license in cosmetology. The Syrings enjoyed traveling together and with friends. Long vacations on Cape Cod beaches and at other New England sites were favorites, but they also made road trips to Florida and the Carolinas and from Pennsylvania. Their flight and visit to Hawaii was the most memorable for her. Helen was a creative, talented and fiercely independent person. Among her many gifts was the ability to envision, plan and complete complex projects. She was a seamstress and crafter, tailoring or making a piece of clothing or knitting handsome blankets, sweaters and even men’s socks. She loved gardening and was a flower arrangement expert. Her exquisite taste extended to selecting flattering garments and matching hats and hat pins to them (there were 100’s!), collecting antique baskets and choosing the perfect home furnishings for the right space. Besides music – from classical to the 40’s+ hits to country and western, Helen kept up with current news and sports events. A former swimmer, golfer, bowler and ice skater, she enjoyed watching football, baseball and other athletic competitions on TV in her later years. Helen excelled at being able to read a manual and assemble or operate an object without any help. She was also famous for being able to organize groups of “things”, develop systems to access them and prepare written instructions or demonstrations. (She could even get every morsel of meat out of the smallest lobster)! She was a great problem solver and that enhanced her ability to live on her own for so long. Her family and friends will miss her and remember her with love and prayers. She will be interred privately in Connecticut at a later date.