Helen Theresa (Capuana) Jiampietro

UTICA/YORKVILLE – Helen Theresa (Capuana) Jiampietro's earthly journey ended with grace and tranquility on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at nearly 102 years of age. At the time of her passing, her beloved family was at her bedside. Born in Utica on March 23, 1922, Helen was the daughter of the late Tomaso and Tomassina (Massaro) Capuana. She graduated from T. R. Proctor High School and studied at Utica School of Commerce and Utica College. Helen started out as a career-woman, notable for her time. With a passion and great aptitude for math, she worked as a bookkeeper for National Auto and Chambers Oil in Utica. In September of 1954, at the age of 32, she wed Dominick “Dick” Jiampietro, founder and owner of Utica Alloys and Universal Waste companies. Wanting to continue her career, Helen took on the accounting work of the companies until she and Dick started their family together. Helen pivoted easily, fully embracing her role as mother and wife. She made home life a priority, making sure her family’s needs were well met. Their home was a happy and energetic gathering place for family and friends, particularly on Sunday afternoons when Helen would cook and serve delicious meals to all who came to visit. Helen and Dick were strong in their political convictions. Supporting her husband’s leadership positions in the Democratic party, Helen welcomed to Utica state and national leaders, including then vice-president and presidential candidate Hubert H Humphrey; and she attended the historic 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago during a time of political turbulence and civil unrest in our nation. Helen’s life abruptly changed in 1969 by the untimely passing of her husband, followed a week later by the sudden passing of her beloved mother. Despite great loss, Helen held her head high and transitioned to be the absolute best woman she could as a business owner and single mother of two young children. Returning to her accounting career, she perpetuated the wellbeing of the companies until her retirement in 1980. During this time, she also became very active in civic and religious organizations, including serving as an officer and board member of the Democratic Women’s Club of Utica and Oneida County, and as an active member of the St. Anthony of Padua Christian Women’s Club, the Parent Educator Guild, and the Guild of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. After she retired, Helen moved from Southeast Utica to the Village of Yorkville and for the next nearly 40 years resided in the house built by her uncle. She enjoyed many family gatherings and afternoon coffees with her cousins Frances Spina and Marguerite Spaziani who lived in the two houses next to hers. With a strong aptitude for bridge and a love of bingo, Helen was active in the New York Mills Seniors Center, St. Mary’s New York Mills Seniors group, and the Town of New Hartford bridge group. Helen was a very wise, dignified, and independent woman—a tower of strength and a woman of faith. She had the patience of a saint and was a trusted advisor and confidante. Her family and friends could always depend on her for wise counsel and unconditional love and support. Helen modeled how to be the best person, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, setting the bar high for how we all should be. She made an impact on everyone she met with her unwavering kindness, acceptance, and warmth. Helen cherished her familial connections deeply and valued spending time with her loved ones as often as possible. Her home was always welcoming, loving, and full of delicious home-cooked meals and cookies. She would never let anyone leave her house hungry, and took comfort in feeding those around her, even her grand-dogs. When family or friends could not come to Helen’s house because of sickness or otherwise, Helen delivered her delicious and plentiful meals to them, well into her 90s. Helen had an incredible mental sharpness that stayed with her until the end. Understanding the importance of family history, Helen loved to share family stories and family lore. She was a wonderful, animated storyteller, moving her audiences to laughter and tears as she recounted family stories at her 100th and 101st birthday parties. She had an eye for fashion and wore classic, elegant clothes, properly adorned with the perfect accessories—even at home she always looked totally put together. Her family’s hearts are heavy with their loss but also full with the blessings of many loving memories of Helen. She was a treasure and a gift that will always live on in their hearts. Helen’s loved ones take comfort in knowing that, as the last living family member of her generation, Helen is at peace and reunited with her beloved parents, siblings, husband, infant son, and many family members and friends. Helen is survived by “the loves of her life:” her children, Dominick R. Jiampietro and Margaret “Margie” Palladino; and her grandchildren, Peter Michael Palladino (Kiernan Matts) and Laura Rose Palladino (Michael Spengler). Also surviving is her stepson, Joseph Jiampietro. Helen treasured her son, Dominick Jiampietro, who passed away in infancy; her loving stepdaughters, Gloria Philipson and Anita Maxwell; and her former daughter-in-law, Barbara Jiampietro, to whom she was like a second mother. Helen was also predeceased by her cherished siblings and their spouses, Rose and Joseph Maurizio, Alfred “Fritz” and Thelma (Pape) Capuana, Joseph and Alvera (Pamadora) Capuana, and Orazio and Bernadette (Casaletta) Capuana. Helen had such affection for her beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren—and they have great affection for her. She loved her lifelong friend, Gloria Mary (Eannace) Infusino; and was blessed with so many wonderful friends who preceded her. Helen’s family is grateful to the staff and friends at Acacia Village where Helen lived for the last four years, enjoying bridge and bingo games and her new friendships made there. Helen was gifted with outstanding caregivers, especially Michelle Chambrone, NP, who was entrusted with Helen’s health for over three decades. Gratitude is also extended to the medical professionals who helped Helen recently including Roseanne T. Brindisi, NP, Lori Fiorentino, NP, Alyson Vick, RN, Danielle Casab, RN, and Wynn staff member Dee’Asia Whitely. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Helen's honor may be made to the local soup kitchen, Mother Marianne's West Side Kitchen online at www.mmwsk.org/how-to-donate; envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Helen would take great comfort knowing those in need are being fed on the occasion of her passing. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Helen's Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church, 422 Tilden Ave., Utica. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. This obituary was lovingly composed by Helen's daughter, Margie.

Helen Theresa (Capuana) Jiampietro

March 23, 1922 - February 7, 2024