Heljo Gittel Ebrok, age 91 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Monday, April 6, 2020 at home, surrounded by her loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.
Heljo was a strong, stubborn and independent Estonian woman who had endured many struggles in her long life but somehow always survived. She cherished memories of a childhood spent on her grandfather’s farm. Unfortunately, her childhood was cut short by the war and Soviet bombs bursting through the family home. She remembered her brave mother’s decision to flee their homeland and take her and her sister, Silvi, on foot and via Red Cross trains to perceived safety in Germany, eventually landing with many other Estonians in a displaced person camp in Geislingen.
At the end of the war, mother and daughter were separated as Heljo was granted work as a nanny in Montreal and Berta as a worker for Seabrook Frozen Foods in Bridgeton, New Jersey. After completing her obligation, Heljo put her sewing skills to work at a local sweatshop during the day and enjoyed Montreal’s 1950’s nightclub scene in the evening where she would recall having met or seen quite a few celebrities of the day, including the likes of Frank Sinatra.
During trips to south Jersey to visit her mother, she was introduced to her future husband and fellow Estonian and carpenter, Endel Ebrok. They married in 1960 and settled in Summit. After several years of sewing for private customers, Heljo partnered with a New York fabric wholesaler and opened “The Fabric Bag” in 1970 on Springfield Avenue in Summit which became known for offering unique and beautiful garment fabrics. After losing her lease, she re-located the store to Milburn until ultimately closing in 1977 when sewing lost its popularity due to the opening of the malls.
After her divorce, Heljo moved to Springfield with Helle-May in 1977 and spent many hours tending to her prolific flower and vegetable garden. She worked for several years as a salesclerk at several local pharmacies until her passion for dogs led her to help manage and operate the Preppy Pup in Short Hills, one of the first “Doggy Daycare” businesses in New Jersey.
In 1999, Heljo moved to Plainfield, Illinois to be closer to her daughter and future grandchildren. Her son-in-law’s job change in 2007 led everyone back to Flemington, New Jersey where she lived with her daughter and daughter’s family. Heljo spent the last chapter of her life taking care of her beloved dogs and enjoying her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Berta Tursamae in 1993, and by her husband, Endel Ebrok in 1996.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Helle-May Ebrok Cheney and Greg Cheney; her grandsons, Stephen and Andrew Cheney; several extended family members around the world; and many dear friends.
Life celebration services and cremation at the Chapel of Ewing Crematory, Ewing Township, NJ, are private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.
Given the current gathering restrictions and inability to have a large ceremony, and knowing how vital the love of family, friends, and the community is when someone passes, everyone reading this is encouraged to leave a detailed note on this page—perhaps a favorite story, or maybe the way Heljo touched your heart—something to help inspire a measure of comfort and hope to all who read the comments.
Please visit Heljo’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a memorial candle, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may honor Heljo by making a contribution in her name to the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 686, Flemington, NJ 08822 or online by clicking HERE.
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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”