Helen Elizabeth Musa, 97 of Wall Township and formerly of Spring Lake passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022 peacefully in her sleep after a long and fulfilling life.

The matriarch of her family, Helen was born in Jersey City and vacationed summers in Spring Lake as a young girl.  She moved to Spring Lake permanently in 1948 where she lived with her parents Bill and Rosella Wellinghorst and her siblings Frank and Rosemary until she married her husband William D. Musa in 1949.  Together, they raised seven children and were Communicants of Saint Catharine’s Parish.

As a young girl, she enjoyed swimming, rowing, playing cards, walking on the boardwalk and being with her entire family.  She was an avid reader, with an extensive vocabulary and could usually be found “with her nose in a book”.  She and her husband were excellent dancers, and die-hard NY Yankees fans, with Lou Gehrig as her favorite guy in pinstripes.  As they raised their own family, Helen continued her love of the beach and swimming. She channeled her creativity by designing and sewing complete, coordinating wardrobes for the entire family as well as creating stuffed animals and dolls with their own wardrobes for her children.  She worked for the Asbury Park Press and later as a purchaser for Eastern Commodities in Manasquan and Point Pleasant.  She subsequently moved to Wall Township where she lived with her daughter Gini and family and her favorite dogs - Buster, Booms and Bedelia. She retired to enjoy the Jersey Shore surrounded by her entire family. With her platinum blonde hair, striking blue eyes and fastidious manner, she was the true “Goldilocks”.

She was predeceased by her husband William D. Musa, her daughter, Linda M. Musa and her grandson, Brendan W. Murphy.

Surviving are her children, William P. Musa of Oregon City, OR, Pamela Musa Murphy of Toms River, Nancy E. Cunard of Howell, Joseph P. Musa of Middletown, Julia Sanders of Allenwood, and Gini Pagnoni of Wall; her ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  Her family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to the entire staff at Manor By The Sea, for their dedication to her health and well being in her final days. Tina, Latoya and many others were friends and much more to her there.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 29th from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall Township, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 10:30AM in St. Catharine’s Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake. Burial in the Musa plot at St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Sea Girt.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.