Helen Callaizakis Meimaris

Helen Callaizakis Meimaris, was born in New York City, on April 5, 1932. She was the daughter George Callaizakis and Mary Illiakis who were immigrants from the island of Crete. She was raised in Bronx, New York together with her four siblings, Dimitri, Michalis, Kostas and Sophia.
Helen was often sharing some of her best stories of her upbringing in the city particularly her love for the neighborhood surrounding Arthur Avenue in Bronx, New York. Despite her humble upbringing and the economic challenges her parents faced, they would bring their five children to Cretan dances and Cretan picnics at least once a month. This helped to instill the everlasting pride Helen felt throughout her life for her Cretan heritage.
Helen would later meet and marry the love of her life, Captain Alkiviades Meimaris in 1958. They were married for 53 years until his passing in 2013. Her husband was the yin to her yang. Exact opposite temperaments which complemented in each other, they found perfection. They traveled the world together and lived abroad in Venezuela and Brazil. All while raising four children, Demetri, Marianthi, Angelika, and Alkistis, and later welcomed four grandchildren, Alkis, Maria, Efklithes and Eleni.
From as long as could be remembered Helen was considered the matriarch of the family. Her infinite passion for the wellbeing of her family was known by all who knew her. A very devoted mother, and a loving and wise grandmother. Her grandkids knew they could always count on their Yiayia, for support and advice. No matter where she was or what she would was doing she would drop everything to talk to her grandchildren. In addition Helen was very engaged with her extended family, by being a loyal aunt and enjoyed keeping relationships with her nieces and nephews, who up until her last month of life would call her on a regular basis; if anything, just to chat with Aunt Helen.
She was an extremely talented seamstress who could sew practically anything from scratch. Among her specialties were the uniquely elegant basinets she made for each of her four children and grandchildren. She designed and made gowns for her daughters and elaborate drapes for her homes and some of her childrens homes. Her other passion was real estate. She had begun flipping real estate over 65 years ago before “flipping” became a verb!
Two words that can best describe and sum Helen up are; intense and fierce. She was a fierce advocate for her beliefs and her family. She was intense with her work and loved her family fiercely. While some may feel this is an end to an era; it is her legacy that will continue on through her family and on the generations that follow.



Visitation
Thursday, June 15, 2023
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Hunt-Stellato Funeral Home
1601 Palisade Ave. Fort Lee, NJ US 07024
Fort Lee NJ 07024
US


Entombment
Friday, June 16, 2023

Madonna Mausoleum
2070 Hoefleys Lane
Fort Lee NJ 07024
US


Funeral
Friday, June 16, 2023
12:00 PM -
St. John the Theologian
353 E. Clinton Ave
Tenafly NJ 07670
US


Funeral HomeHunt-Stellato Funeral Home - Fort Lee
1601 Palisade Avenue
Fort Lee NJ - 07024
US
(201) 944-1202