Our beloved Helen passed away peacefully November 4, 2020 at her home in Boynton Beach, Florida, after suffering a stroke two weeks prior to her passing.

Her family and friends all had the same thing to say about her. Helen was sweet, kind, caring, always seeing the best in people and supporting them to be their best.   Smart, very intellectually curious, insightful.  Helen had a way that people, even strangers, would be attracted to her spirit and connect with her – and she was just being herself.

Helen was an ever devoted mother and grandmother, accomplished in multiple careers, and great corporate partner to her husband as they lived in many countries in Latin America and Europe.

Helen had a spirit of adventure and stepping into the unknown.  She was born in Tsangarada, Greece.   She would share that, from the time she was eight, she knew she was going far, far away.  It became a reality in so many ways. After high school, she was awarded a full scholarship, only one of two awarded in Greece to the best students, to go to university in the US.  So, at age 19, she traveled alone by ship to attend the University of Minnesota.  She knew little English but quickly became fluent.  Later in her life she added more languages, totaling 5.

At UM she met her future husband, Antony DaCruz, and they would delight in dancing, the arts, and long conversations. She graduated UM with a Masters in Biochemistry which she applied throughout her life, later doing advanced cancer research at the University of Rochester for eleven years where she became head of research grants and administration.  She had a similar role at University of Illinois for two years.

Helen loved helping those that faced major challenges.  For eight years she served as head of advancement and administration at the School of the Holy Childhood in Rochester, a very special place devoted to children with Down's syndrome.

Helen is survived by her loving son, Leslie DaCruz, grandchildren Jeremy DaCruz and Alex DaCruz and his wife Erin, and daughter-in-law Laura DaCruz.

We will miss you and always remember you Helen.   Your unconditional love, wisdom, and ever curious spirit made us better people.  A long very well lived life.

The family will be having a small private service Saturday November 28 ^th at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Holy Childhood www.holychildhood.org or St. Joseph's Episcopal Church www.stjoesweb.org