Helen Meisl, 95, passed away peacefully at home on January 3. A Sandisfield resident for more than 50 years, Helen's first home here lacked electricity and running water. XXXXXXXXxx XXXXx SSSSSSSSSS

Helen was born on October 9, 1930, in Obertiefenbach, Gottschee. She came to the United States in 1948 after her family lost everything during WWII. She settled in Ridgewood, N.Y., where she met her husband of 50 years, Josef Meisl. They went on to have six children and in 1972 moved out to Sandisfield, where she has remained since.

Helen was known for her feisty spirit, strong work ethic, and unwavering love for those around her. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she found her greatest joy in time spent with family. She was always present in the lives of her entire family. From family gatherings, birthday parties, holidays, graduations, recitals, gossiping with her grandchildren, and more, she showed up for everyone. She was, and always will be, the heart of the family.

Helen also loved to garden, work outdoors, and was amazing in the kitchen. Many happy and loving memories come from hanging in the kitchen baking, cooking, or just enjoying food with Grandma Hatzy, as she is known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her recipes are shared throughout the family and will live on for future generations to enjoy. She will be remembered for her faith, spirit, generosity, and the love she shared so freely.

Helen was the youngest of five children and was preceded in death by her husband Josef Meisl; her parents, George and Anna Stefandl; her brother John Stefandl; her sisters, Anne Neu, Josephine Ahrens, and Mutchie Kromer; as well as her sons-in-law, Michael Concannon and Christopher Sullivan. She is survived by her six children, Edeltraud Thomason and her husband Robert, Josef Meisl and his wife Brenda, Irene Concannon, Katherine Meisl and her partner Helen McDermott, Stephan Meisl and his wife Kellie, and Nancy Sullivan and her partner Robert Hawley; 11 grandchildren, Josef Meisl and his wife Annie, William Meisl, Liberty Meisl, Lantana Meisl, Bobbi Thomason, Hope Thomason, Keith Thomason and his wife Heather, Stephanie Regan and her husband Chris, Brigit Nastro and her husband James, Michelle Ingrassia and her husband Jim, and Benjamin Meisl; 12 great-grandchildren, Josef Meisl, Emery Thomason, Elsie Regan, Tessa Regan, Patrick Nastro, Mary Jane Nastro, Helen Ingrassia, Agnes Ingrassia, Layne Thomason, Brayden Thomason, Paige Thomason, and Gracyn Thomason; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral service for Helen Meisl will be held on Thursday, January 8, at 10 a.m., at the Birches-Roy Funeral Home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230, with Fr. Robert Miskell officiating. Burial will follow in Sandisfield Center Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 7, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be made through the funeral home's website.