Helen P. Villarreal, age 78, of Stratford, reposed in the Lord peacefully on December 1, 2025.

 Helen was born in Bridgeport on March 21, 1947, to the late Michael and Helena (Kostik) Plavcan, and has been a lifelong area resident. She was a graduate of Harding High School, class of 1965, earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and her master’s degree in French from Penn State University, and studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris. She was recruited as an analyst by the U.S. Government, and while on assignment in Washington, DC, Helen met Federico Villarreal, who was also beginning his career in federal service. Following their wedding in Bridgeport, Helen left her position to travel with and support Federico and their daughters during his posts in Texas, Ecuador, California, and Peru. She also enjoyed serving her community as an instructor at Imperial Valley College in California and as a substitute teacher in the Stratford public schools. Helen retired from the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, where she was a case manager. Treasured by her family and friends, she was known for her generous and kind spirit, intelligence, warm humor, affinity for languages, fondness for animals, and her many charitable endeavors. 

She loved to bake, especially for her church family at The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist in Bridgeport, where she was a faithful and devoted lifetime parishioner. 

Survivors include her beloved daughters, Rebecca Villarreal formerly of Stratford, and Jennifer Villarreal and her husband Gregory Morrison of Stratford; three cherished grandchildren, Sean, Ella, and Luke; her former husband, Federico Villarreal of Texas; and relatives in Slovakia. 

Visitation on Monday, December 8, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford. Panachida at 4:30 p.m. A Requiem Funeral Service will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 9th at 10:00 a.m., meeting directly at St. John’s Church, 364 Mill Hill Avenue, Bridgeport. Interment will follow in St. John’s Cemetery Stratford.

 In lieu of flowers, those desiring may donate to St. John’s Church or the Closer to Free Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital, in memory of Helen.