Helen Racaniello, 96, Active in the St. John's Church Women's Guild

An obituary from Edward Lawrence Funeral Home:

Helen K. Racaniello, a resident of Darien, CT since 1952, passed away on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk. Born on July 31, 1918 in Greenwich, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Catherine (Talar)Stepien. She was 96.

Helen graduated from Port Chester High School in Port Chester, NY. She lived in the same house that Helen and her late husband, Victor built 62 years ago.

Helen was a multi-faceted woman whose primary focus was taking care of her family. As the matriarch of her family, she hosted family gatherings with a smile and enough food for an army. Helen was a devout Catholic and spent many years actively involved in the St. John’s Church Women’s Guild.

Her hobbies included impressionistic painting, shell collecting, sewing, flower gardening, and traveling. She and her late husband Victor enjoyed spending winters in their Clearwater Beach Florida home. Helen rooted for the New York Yankees and was an enthusiastic member of the Derek Jeter fan club.

The latter part of her life was spent attentively caring for her grandchildren and great-children. Interacting with the children and helping them grow brought her great joy. Her love for her family was only matched by her devotion to God.

Helen is survived by a daughter, Kathleen R. Hill and her husband, Jim, of Palm Harbor, FL and a son, John E. Racaniello of Norwalk. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Lisa Sentell of Dallas, TX; Richard Hill of Wickford, RI; Christopher Hill of Palm Harbor, FL; and Sean Racaniello of Darien and six great grandchildren, Helena, Merritt, Payton, Brandon, Cody, and Braelon. Helen is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Karen Racaniello of Darien.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Victor J. Racaniello, Sr. in 2000; Victor J. Racaniello, Jr. in 2014; a brother, Edward Stepien; and a sister, Julia Wasicki.

The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Rd., Darien on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Rd., Darien, CT 06820. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com