Helana A Cichon

Helana Migacy Cichon, Age 82
March 19, 1943 – May 21, 2025

Helana Migacy Cichon, 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, while in hospice care in Springhill, Florida. Born in New York City on March 19, 1943, she was the daughter of John and Anne (Konderwicz) Migacy.

Helana was raised in Ludlow, Massachusetts, and graduated from Ludlow High School in 1961. She began her career with American Airlines, based at Bradley International Airport in Enfield, Connecticut. During this time, she pursued her love of aviation by attending flight school, earning her private pilot’s license, and enjoying flying for many years.

While working with American Airlines, Helana met her future husband, George Cichon, a six-year U.S. Navy veteran. They married in 1968 and soon after moved to Nigeria, West Africa, where George worked as a private pilot for Mobil Oil, transporting equipment and personnel throughout the continent.

After returning to the United States, Helana joined the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), where her work ignited a lifelong passion for environmental conservation and wildlife. While living in the Florida Keys and later into retirement, Helana and George became devoted advocates for the region’s wildlife—especially the wild parrots and the endangered Key deer, a subspecies of the white-tailed deer found only in the Keys. Helana volunteered tirelessly with the National Key Deer Refuge and the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge, rescuing and rehabilitating injured animals and returning them to their natural habitat.

Helana and George eventually designed and built their retirement dream home in Weeki Wachee, Florida, where they enjoyed many happy years together with their three beloved cats and their backyard swimming pool.

Helana was predeceased by her parents, John and Anne Migacy, and her brother, Robert (Bobby) Migacy.

She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, George M. Cichon of Weeki Wachee, Florida; her sister, Joan Migacy Skeean (Michael P. Skeean, Sr.) of Marietta, Georgia; her niece, Carolyn Skeean Griffin (David) of Marietta, Georgia; her nephew, Michael P. Skeean, Jr. (Jessica) of Charlotte, North Carolina; her grand-niece, Margo Griffin; grand-nephew, Clayton Griffin, both of Marietta, Georgia; and her grand-niece, Madeline Skeean of Charlotte, North Carolina.

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