Obituary of Helen Tobiczyk Kaferle

Helen Tobiczyk Kaferle, 99, of Chapel Hill, NC, formerly of Meriden, CT,  passed away peacefully with her family by her side February 16, 2024, at the University of North Carolina Medical Center.

Born June 1, 1924, in Library, PA, to the late Joseph and Frances Tobiczyk she was predeceased by her husband of 70 years, John A. Kaferle.

“Tobi” as she was known by her close friends was a longtime resident of Meriden and a fixture at Meriden City Hall for many years where she worked in the Assessor’s Office. She also worked in the Meriden Welfare Office and at the Napier Co.

She moved to Chapel Hill, NC in 2017 after her husband’s passing.

To know Tobi was to know someone with near boundless energy and concern and love for her family and friends. She loved to travel, dance, watch the New York Yankees and Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball team and most of all, be with her grandchildren. One of her grandsons confessed just recently that he loved going to her house because she and his grandfather let him get away with a lot more than his parents, like jumping from furniture piece to furniture piece with a cape on like Superman.

Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brothers, Joseph and Frederick and sister Adelaide. She also was predeceased by her lifelong friend and partner in fun Marie Gardiner.

She is survived by her sons John and his wife Marcia of Ridgefield, CT and Daniel and his wife Linda of Chapel Hill, NC. She also is survived by grandchildren Karl and his wife Colleen of Norwalk, CT, Anne of Helper, UT, Colin of Portland, OR, and Ian and his wife Annie of Berkeley, CA. Also, great grandchildren Mette, Kelsey and Theo. She was very close to her niece, Tisha Mears of Yukon, PA.

A celebration of Helen’s life will be held later this year.

Donations can be made in Helen’s name to the Step Forward Scholarship Fund, PO Box 4631, Chapel Hill, NC, 27515-4631.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Meadowmont in Chapel Hill for their compassionate care in her last years.

Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is in charge of arrangements.