Helen Marie Bogdan - 89

Helen Marie Tunney-Bogdan of Bordentown N.J, died peacefully in Naples, Florida on April 9, 2021.

Helen Marie was born in Bordentown, NJ on July 26, 1931, the daughter of the Honorable Justice William Patrick Tunney and Mary Karrafa.  She grew up on Crosswicks Street in Bordentown and attended St. Mary's school at her home parish.  She enjoyed spending summers with her sister Sally visiting her Uncle Stanley J. Tunney, who owned Funtown pier and was mayor of Seaside Heights for 12 terms.  Some of the fondest memories were of her father holding municipal court and adjudicating city matters with the New Jersey State Police in her living room at 97 Crosswicks Street when the old city courthouse was closed after hours.  One story Helen Marie often told was that of an arrested soul who had an ice cream truck and subsequently was dismissed of all charges.  The man then returned a week later with an ice cream cake to thank the judge, her father, for being fair and kind.  That first ice cream cake would become a family tradition at yearly birthday parties for years to come.

Helen Marie attended St. Mary's Cathedral High School and graduated in 1948.  She worked as a secretary for the New Jersey Department of Unemployment in the 1940s and 1950s and resumed her state duties as an Armory Manager for the New Jersey Department of Veterans and Military Affairs under Major General Francis R. Gerard, Adjutant General of New Jersey Army and Air National Guard at Eggert Crossing Road, Lawrence Township in the 1980s and 1990s.  She was particularly proud of the men and women she served with during the First Gulf War and General Gerard who was also the Commanding Officer of her husband, Arthur, during his basic training in 1949 at McGuire Air Force Base in the 108 ^th Fighter Bomber Wing.  She resided in Bordentown most of her life, was a life-long member of St. Mary's Parish and member of the Holy Rosary Altar Society.  She was an avid pinocle player, loved trips to Atlantic City and enjoyed socializing with her friends in the shaded tree section at Yardville Swim Club.  Helen Marie was proud of her Irish and Slovak ancestry and hosting annual Halloween Parade parties on her wraparound Victorian porch at 6 East Union Street for many years.  Her grandchildren especially enjoyed coming over for her special meatball sandwiches on torpedo rolls from Italian People's Bakery.

Helen Marie is survived by her husband of 66 years, Dr. Arthur R. Bogdan of Bordentown; her sister, Sallie Kokas of Bordentown, daughters' Patricia Gaydos (and Donald), of Medford, Valerie Bogdan of New Hope, Clare Camarda (and Frank) of Manahawkin and sons' Matthew Bogdan of Naples, FL and Josef Bogdan (and Elisa), of Mount Laurel and grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. She also was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Tunney of Bordentown.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated, on April 24, 2021 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.  Interment will be in the old cemetery of St. Mary's in Bordentown, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, Helen Marie has designated the following for donations in her memory: St. Mary's Church Community Food Pantry, 45 Crosswicks St., Bordentown, NJ 08505.