Helen Barna Perry, 89, died at home with family in Palo Alto, Calif., on Wednesday, August 19, 2015. Born in Manville, N.J., as one of seven daughters of Michael and Tekla (Shelestak) Barna, Helen was a long-time resident of Bound Brook, N.J., until she relocated to California in 2012. She is survived by her loving daughter, Tekla Nee and husband Eric of Palo Alto; three much-adored grandchildren, Alex, Nadya, and Mischa Nee; sister, Sophie Barna, of Manville; and a host of caring nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Helen was predeceased by her sisters Anastasia "Nancy" Barna, Olga Barna, Julia Walaski, Anna Albanese, and Mary Barna.

Helen received her bachelor's and master's degrees with highest honors from Rutgers University. She lived briefly in New York City, and then served with the U.S. State Department in the late 1940s and 1950s as executive assistant to consul generals in Germany, Israel, and India before returning to New Jersey and embarking on a teaching career. She was an employee of the Manville School District for nearly 30 years, teaching Kindergarten and Fifth Grade at Roosevelt School and various history classes at Alexander Batcho Intermediate School and Manville High School. She also coached the MHS Academic League. Helen was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Manville where she volunteered as librarian for many years.

Helen had a lifelong love of travel, and was one of the first teachers to participate in a cultural visit to China before that country opened to general tourism. She also toured Russia, Africa, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, and much of Europe, and regularly indulged in brief escapes to the Caribbean islands. Though Helen indeed saw the world, her favorite spot was always New Jersey--in particular, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. As she would often say, "There's no place like the Jersey Shore."

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Fucillo & Warren Funeral Home, 205 South Main Street, Manville, on Sunday, August 30, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. with the Panikhida at 7:30 p.m. and on Monday, August 31, from 8:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 31, beginning 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a 9:30 a.m. funeral service at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Manville with Fr. James officiating. Helen will be laid to rest at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Cemetery in Hillsborough.