Helen Traina

Beloved Mother, Nan, and Friend

Helen Traina, (nee Kearney), of South Hackensack, NJ, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was 86 years old. Helen was known for her extraordinary generosity, her impeccable sense of style, and her unwavering devotion to the people she loved. She was a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Hackensack. Helen was the beloved wife of Vincent Traina, with whom she shared 51 years of marriage until his passing in 2010. Together, they built a life grounded in love, laughter, and family.

She was a devoted mother and is survived by her four children: Kim, John, David, and Gregg; her loving children-in-law Chris Nolan, Lourdes Traina, and Heather Traina; her grandchildren Taylor Nolan (Jason), Kenny Nolan (Madeline), Shane Nolan, and Vincent Traina; and her great-grandchildren Cleo Nolan and Luca Bevacqua, who brought her endless joy in the final months of her life. Dearest sister of the late Richard (Marie) Kearney. Helen had a deep and lifelong appreciation for fashion and creativity. She shared that passion with others through her work at Lord & Taylor, where she helped countless customers develop their personal style for over 25 years. Her love of design extended to her home as well, where her warmth and attention to detail made every room feel like a reflection of her heart. A woman of strong Catholic faith, Helen found peace and comfort in attending Mass, especially during her later years at the Oaks in Denville. Helen was blessed with the abundance of loving friendships that were nurtured over a lifetime of memories together. She treasured the enduring friendships she held with her neighbors, many of whom she met in her twenties, and with "The Deb's," a group of women who were more like sisters than friends. She will be remembered for her grace, her laughter and above all, her love—deep, lasting, and felt by all who knew her. The Funeral will begin on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 8:45 AM from the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, NJ. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 49 Vreeland Avenue, Hackensack at 10:00 AM. Entombment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, Paramus. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM for visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Helen's memory to: American Heart Association or Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital. For directions or further information please visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com