Helen Mary Pisano

Laconia Helen Mary Pisano, 97, a resident of Laconia since 2000 died Tuesday, May 27th at the St. Francis Home in Laconia following a period of failing health. She moved to Lakeport from Franklin where she resided for many years. Helen (one of 8 children) was born in New Haven, CT, June 11, 1916, daughter of Andrew and Margarita (Amodio) Pisano. She worked as a domestic for many years prior to her retirement in 1979. Her life began in the Little Italy section of New Haven and as recent immigrants from Amalfi, Italy, neither of her parents could speak English. Life was a struggle, especially during the Great Depression. Helen grew up with dreams of becoming a teacher. After graduating from High School, and due to economic conditions, she was forced to find work. She accepted a position as a live in housekeeper and caretaker for the family�s children. The home was that of the family of Lars Onsager, a Yale Professor who had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1968. Helen loved her work and her new family. She traveled over the years with the family to Cambridge, England and later, her adopted family gave her a vacation to Amalfi, Italy to visit her relatives. Helen had never been out of New Haven, and working for the Onsager family provided her with the window to another world, full of European travel and comfortable living. On her trip to Italy in 1949, Helen often mentioned this as being the best part of her life. She was to have stayed for two weeks and stayed for two months. Her adopted family, with roots in Norway and Germany were accustomed to yearly vacations in Europe but travel was restricted during WW II. They were told by friends that the mountains of New Hampshire were as good as the Alps, so they bought a farm in Sanbornton as a vacation property. Helen accompanied them to the farm and loved the lifestyle of the region. As a devout Catholic, Helen would hitch a ride with the family�s milkman to the nearest Catholic Church. She had to learn to drive the Onsager�s Volkswagen, which she did. She was a parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Tilton for many years. While living in Franklin Helen was often seen walking from her Franklin apartment to Mass in Tilton. After moving to Laconia, she became active with the Catholic Community there. Following her retirement she enjoyed volunteering. After many years without one, a friend bought her a TV as a gift. Shortly after, she donated it. Later in life she realized what she could learn and enjoy from the numerous DVD�s available. While living in Franklin she was a senior companion and volunteered in schools and Franklin Regional Hospital. She was a former member of the Franklin Senior Citizens Club, Catholic Daughters of the Americas and member of the Grange, both in Connecticut and New Hampshire. Later moving to Laconia she worked at the Elm Street School as a foster grandparent in the media center in to her 90�s. She brought with her a great sense of humor, a lot of pep and a great deal of stories. She was known for her love of a good cup of coffee. Helen also volunteered at the Taylor Home and with the Lakeport Community Association. She was active with the fund raising campaign to purchase a railroad boxcar for the Lakeport Freight Museum. Helen was predeceased by brothers, Frank, Frederick, John and Gordon, sisters, Yolanda, Clara and Mary. She leaves nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews, members of the Onsager family, and her many young and senior friends. Calling hours will be held Friday, May 30, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 P. M. at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road (584 West Main St.) in Tilton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 10:00 A. M. at St. Gabriel Parish-St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Chestnut St., in Tilton. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery in Tilton. Those wishing, may make memorial contributions in Helen's name to Make-A-Wish Foundation of NH, 814 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101.