| About |
Helyn Byrd Mitchiner was born in Baxley, Georgia on September 20, 1949 to the late Herbert Byrd and Mattie-Lee Wooten. Helyn was raised in New Britain, Connecticut where she was a member of the New Mount Olive Church of God in Christ. Helyn graduated from New Britain High School, Class of 1968 and began a working career that would span 35 years. On May 7, 1981 Helyn Byrd married William Joseph Mitchiner and in 1986 they moved to Paterson, New Jersey. Helyn began her career as a broadcaster for NBC News in New Britain, Connecticut. Over the next 35 years, Helyn worked in Health Care, as an entrepreneur, as a model (working in Connecticut, New York and Paris, France) and finally as a Parent Educator and community organizer for Concerned Parents for Head Start. Additionally, during these years Helyn founded a cosmetics company, Byrd of Beauty, and became a published author. Her children's book "My Special Neighborhood" is currently in print and a second book will be published posthumously. After many years of working, Helyn made a decision to pursue a Degree in Public Policy & Urban Studies, which she received in 2003 from St. Peter's Jesuit College in Jersey City, New Jersey. Helyn joined Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church on April 12, 1992. During her 16 years of church membership, Helyn devoted herself to Bible Study and Prayer. She was a faithful member of the Women's Bible Study for more than a decade and on Wednesday nights you could always find Helyn at Prayer Service, often after receiving medical treatments in New York during the day. As her husband directed a Saturday morning program for boys at risk, Helyn ensured that these 30 boys had lunch every week since the program's inception. After God and her family, Helyn's real passions were social justice and community service. She was President of the Eastside Neighborhood Association and the founder of the 'First Step Program', a ministry to women prisoners, which she directed for many years. When many of the women expressed concerns about their children, Helyn began advocating for children whose mothers were incarcerated. This evolved into the Grandparents and Care Givers Program, which she co-founded. Helyn will be remembered for her grace, her optimistic love of life and her strong faith. "This too shall pass", she often said. Helyn's faith in God was steadfast. During her recent struggles with illness, Helyn's husband Joe, and children Justin and Kortnei (Courtney) were her strength. Her sense of humor and her servant's heart will be deeply missed. Leaving to cherish her memory are her husband William Joseph Mitchiner, son Justin Brandon, daughter Kortnei Mari-Catherine of Paterson, mother Mattie-Lee Wooten and brother Freddie Watson of New Britain, two brothers in law, Albert and Nathaniel, a sister in law, Barbara Ann, a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many devoted friends. |
