Helena was a world traveler and always the life of the party, small in stature, but full of energy and love. I was always inspired by the stories she would occasionally tell about her life, but in true Helena fashion, she was far more interested in hearing about how I was doing, and wanted to know what was going on with me, no matter how mundane it was. She would often talk about how lucky she was to be surrounded by a loving family, and I felt equally lucky to have her as an aunt. She will be missed, but her sense of humor and caring personality has influenced all her loved ones, and will continue to live on.
Love you Tia Helena.
Brian, Rachel, Connor and Olivia
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2015, Jersey Shore, NJ, USA
Truly a "Super Woman❤" 📷 by Maria Cunningham
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A beautiful witness for God on how to live a faithful and loving life. Such a brave and wonderful woman. My family will miss you and our birthday celebrations. It was our honor to know you and love you.
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Most people are Good. But in Helena’s case she was better than simply”good”.
Whenever when we all got together & greeted one another it always started out the same way…..”Helena ,How are you? . Ok but how are YOU ?’”
It was always the same- she being more concerned about others than herself. She was a perfect example of Class, Love and Grace for All of us
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I remember going to out to eat with the Cunningham’s during college, and I got to talk with Ita about her world travels. I am grateful to have known her and I have so much respect for her. She will be missed greatly but her legacy is in her love for family and friends!
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There are no words to describe how much Ita meant to our family and how much we will miss her! She was basically a second mother to me, Chris, and Jackie, always providing advice, love, and support as we grew up. She was truly a role model and she would not let anything get in her way. For instance, at my 21st birthday party, the restaurant did not have any Cuarenta y Tres for Ita to enjoy. Being the problem solver that she was, she decided to get a bottle of Cuarenta y Tres from the local liquor store and drink it directly from the bottle with a straw. Luckily we had some strong cousins with us to help walk her out at the end of the dinner :) :)
Jokes aside, Ita was such an amazing person and made a difference in so many peoples’ lives. We will cherish our memories with her forever!!
Kelly
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This one is from Christopher, he just shared this memory with us. He remembers Ita coming back home from the rehab center, and she kept asking everyone "Where am I?" Chris was spending every afternoon with Ita by her bed in the TV room and would always tell her, "We're home at 21 Bridge Road!" They both got to be by each other's side <3
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I feel so lucky to have known Helena all my life. She always felt like a third grandma to me. Helena always found a way to put a smile on everyone’s face. She was the life of the party and always made sure to speak to everyone in the room and offer hugs to us all. Helena is an inspiration to me, coming to an unknown country to start a new life for herself and my Aunt Maria!! Helena would never let anything get in the way of bringing joy to everyone’s lives and we are all better off having had her in our lives. I loved hearing Helena’s stories from her traveling adventures to her dating advice. Her memory will live on through our joy of life and love of family. I’m so glad we’re related! Love you Helena and I bet you, Grandma, Grandpa, and Nana are partying in Heaven right now!!
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I remember when I was about 15 and I had just had my first breakup. As a kid I was devastated. I was on the phone with Helena shortly after and she gave me advice and support. Even though she knew I was a kid, she gave me real life advice and I just look back and it makes me smile knowing she didnt have to do that. Just a funny little story that always stuck with me. It just shows what a loving person she was. ❤️❤️
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When I was younger Ita would always warn me that she would pass around the age of 57…..boy am I glad she was wrong! I will miss her so much but I have so many great memories to cherish!
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2021, Jersey Shore, NJ, USA
I love this photo of Ita and my mom. It shows how Ita's fun loving spirit was with her all throughout her life!
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