Helen P. Cervenka, 97, of Lakewood, passed away on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. She was a beloved and dedicated Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and friend. Helen’s gentle spirit, wisdom, and unwavering faith were guiding lights to all who knew her.

Helen devoted twenty years of service as a school teacher with the Farmingdale Board of Education prior to her retirement in 1990. She was a life member of NJEA, NEA and PTA.  Teaching was her greatest passion and, up until her final days, she could recite the names of each 2nd grader she taught at Farmingdale Elementary. Her love of birds found its way into her curriculum, inspiring her students and influencing all who knew her.

Helen cherished connections with her blended family at home and her extended family abroad. She provided kind counsel and sage advice to her children and grandchildren, celebrating their successes and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Her visits with cousins in England established close ties with an even larger family, and she could just as easily share the latest news from a cousin in Europe as she could a grandchild who lived across town.

Born and raised in Manasquan, she relocated to Lakewood in 1995.

She was a proud and devout Methodist and took the words of John Wesley to heart. She taught Sunday School for many years and served as the Sunday School Superintendent at Manasquan UMC. In their later years, she and her husband Ray were faithful hardworking members of St Paul’s UMC in Bay Head and St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Toms River.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Ray Cervenka, in 2011, and her son, Reverend Robert Cook, in 2013. She is survived by her son, Richard Cook of Georgia; her daughter-in-law, Nancy Cook of Lakewood; her stepsons, Raymond Cervenka of California and Gerard Cervenka of Florida; her stepdaughter, Christine Finney of Pennsylvania; twelve grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fulfill NJ – FoodBank of Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

The memorial service will be private.