Helen Julia Terebesi Obituary

Helen Julia (Orosz) Terebesi, 81, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Bridgeport to the late Andrew Orosz, Sr. and Clara Orosz, Helen spent her childhood years on Ocean Avenue in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. During those days, she met her best friend, Mary Ann Komar, with whom she shared many of life’s great adventures.

Helen attended St. Stephen’s Elementary School and graduated from Bassick High School in 1962. She was an active, longtime parishioner of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic church until it closed in 2005.

It was at the altar in Holy Trinity where she married the love of her life, Steve Terebesi, who had proposed to her in a special way on Christmas Eve. After their reception in Mary Journey’s, they moved to King Street and eventually settled in Fairfield, where they raised three fine sons.

Helen spent the boys’ formative years as a stay-at-home mom, occasional cafeteria lady, and religious education instructor. When the time was right, she returned to the workforce and spent many years as the friendliest cashier at Edwards/Shaws supermarkets before heading across the street to CVS pharmacy. It was there that she found her calling as a pharmacy assistant, helping her customers in her compassionate, caring manner—ever the mom.

Though busy raising her sons and working, Helen always found time for fun. She was a frequent volunteer and attendee at church fundraisers, especially at the Holy Trinity Bazaar. After that church closed, she turned her baking skills toward St. Emery in Fairfield, where she contributed her famous Peanut Butter Blossoms and manned the tables with Mary Ann at the Cookie Walk each Christmas.

 Her family looked forward to her delicious Chicken Paprikash whenever she was in the mood to make it. Her Whiskey Cake was legendary.

She was loved by dogs and cats far and wide, including Chewy, Daisy, Louie, Buddy, Peaches, Tapper, and Loki, and returned the love with pats on the head, treats, and patience. Hazel the guinea pig was also a super fan.

Helen enjoyed painting ceramics, including an impressive R2D2 that doubled as a lamp. She also loved puzzle books and reading Ellery Queen mysteries that she would pass on to her oldest son. Playing cards was a favorite pastime, as well as navigating social media on her tablet and spending time with family and friends, including talking face-to-face with her grandkids on her phone.

She and Steve looked forward to the annual Christmas Eve celebration, going from house to house among the local relatives, singing carols and viewing everyone’s tree. They also made a weekly post-church, Senior Sunday coffee stop to visit with their youngest son and his neighbors, the Cavanaughs.

In the evening, Helen’s TV was often tuned to the Game Show Network or Friends, The Big Bang Theory, or The Golden Girls, and she made a point of voting for her favorites on Dancing With The Stars. She followed Ken Jennings’ record-setting Jeopardy run back in 2004 from start to finish—all 74 games!

Of course, this is when she was at home. Helen loved zooming around in her van, doing errands, visiting friends, or shopping, and she also loved to travel. She and Steve went on many trips with Mary Ann and her husband, Art Corcoran. They visited Disney World in Florida, Lake George, Ireland, and many other scenic locations.

There were lots of family trips to Riverside Park and other amusement parks, as well as jaunts to the casino with Art and Mare. Helen and Steve also traveled to New York City to watch a special taping of Wheel of Fortune at Radio City Music Hall! Above all, Helen and Steve relished trips down to Virginia to visit their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren!

In later years, after Helen and Mary Ann were widowed, they found comfort in attending weekly Mass with friends, followed by a trip to the diner. They also gathered in church to say the rosary each week, followed by dinner at the Gaelic American Club, and attended the monthly Senior Luncheon at the GAC as well. Helen loved life, and every single moment was well spent.

We, her family, would like to thank Helen for her endless love, support, generosity, and kindness. She lifted us up at every turn and we will miss her dearly.

Helen is survived by her sons: Steve and his fiancée, Sherry Salafia; Paul, his wife, Amy, and their children Sarah and Shane; and Jason and his wife, Ellen. She is also survived by her sister, Irene Tew, and sister-in-law, Carol Jones. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Steve Terebesi, her sister, Jennie Pall, and her brother, Andrew Orosz.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to some of Helen’s favorite charities: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Special Olympics, and the American Lung Association.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 2026, from 4-7 pm at the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824, with a prayer service to close the evening. Interment will be held privately at the family's request.

To order flowers from a local florist, get travel directions, or sign her online guest register, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.