Helen Innocenti, age 104.5 years old, passed away peacefully on October 18. She survived two pandemics and was healthy almost all of her life! She was born February 26, 1917, in Yonkers, NY to Helen Fox Weiss and Irving Arthur Weiss. She eloped and married her only love, Ray Innocenti on November 15, 1941, who preceded her in death in 1971. Theirs was a most joyful union.

What was amazing was Helen's zest for life. For many years Helen worked very happily as a school secretary at Walt Whitman and Mark Twain Middle Schools in Yonkers, NY. Retiring from the Yonkers School System at 65, Helen worked at Elizabeth Seton College (Yonkers, NY) as a secretary and then as a bookkeeper for a local plumber when she finally retired again at 80, being replaced by a computer. Not one to sit idle, and loving to work, Helen then volunteered, with much satisfaction, with RSVP (Rockland Senior Volunteer Program) in Nyack Hospital and later at Helen Hayes Hospital, both in Rockland County, NY. She said she did it because she wanted to be of service to others and meet new friends for as long as she could. At 97 she finally hung up her volunteer badge but for 17 years, RSVP brought her much joy and meaning to her life.

Helen loved all people and especially her two children. Helen is survived by her much loved daughters Beth Innocenti Blazek (Andrew Blazek, Jr. deceased); and Lee Innocenti (husband Bob Ginobbi). Her last twenty years she lived with and was cared for by Lee and her Bob in their homes in Suffern, NY and most recently Singer Island, Florida. She is eternally grateful for Lee and Bob's loving support and sacrifices all these years to care for her.

Helen was always active. She took leadership positions in various school/children groups over the years. Unfortunately, her very many, close friends sadly died before her. She loved to travel the world and did so widely with her brother (Arthur Weiss), friends, her daughters and grandchildren.

Her grandchildren Beth Blazek Leigh (Michael Leigh deceased); Theresa Blazek Raphael; Diane Blazek Shubert (husband Joe Shubert); and Andrew Blazek (wife Lila Damon) brought her so much joy over the years. Helen's eight wonderful great grandchildren kept her young well into her old age. Helen was adept at technology well into her 104th year. In addition, she has two valued nephews and a niece. All of these she loved and touched deeply. Family was everything to Helen and we all adored her. She will be deeply missed by everyone in the family.

Please join us celebrating her life on Sunday, October 24, from 1-5 pm at McHoul Funeral Home, Inc.; 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Denis Church; 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction, NY on Monday, October 25 at 10 am. Entombment will follow at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale.

All service including the visitation and Funeral Mass can be viewed via livestream on the funeral home website, https://www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, Mom would love donations to RSVP. Make checks payable to Office for Aging Advisory Council. Send checks to Office for Aging, 50 Sanatorium Road, Building B, Pomona, NY 10970.

For online tributes and livestream access, you can visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.