Helen Veronica Pirog - Nov 10, 1923-Aug 2, 2019

Helen Veronica Pirog passed peacefully on the eve of Friday, August 2nd, 2019 in her home

in Clifton, NJ with her loving family by her side. Helen was born in Peconic, NY on

November 10, 1923, the second of six children born to John and Mary Szczotka. In her 20's,

she came to New Jersey and worked at Curtiss-Wright as part of the 'Rosie Riveter' team that

helped assemble aircraft engines for the war effort. One cold day as she was waiting to take the

bus to work, a man in a milk truck stopped to ask if she needed a ride. He must have been

persistent because she ended up marrying that milk man named Mike Pirog on February 15, 1947.

They ran a successful dairy farm in Clifton where they raised five children together.

Helen is preceded in death by her spouse Mike Pirog, her son Russell and four of her five

brothers. She is survived by her daughters Kathie Aschenbach, who was Helen's major care-

giver, Barbara Ann Jones from Oregon, and her two sons Rich and Ron Pirog. Other survivors

include the in-laws George Aschenbach, Ursula Pirog, Lori Pirog and Pat Pirog, and her

three grandchildren Amanda, Veronica and Victoria, all who contributed to Helen's comfort as

she aged.

A private celebration of Helen's life will be arranged when all family members can be

present.