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Helen Fazio
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Obituary for Helen Fazio

Helen  Fazio
Helen Mary Hallas Fazio wanted to make the world a safer, healthier place, and dedicated her life to that goal. She loved her family and friends fiercely and protectively. She was never happier than when family members and friends returned safely home from wherever they had ventured, or made decisions that resulted in their increased happiness. She had our backs.

Helen had a wonderful sense of humor, a great love of the world’s cultural offerings, a real artistic talent, an authentic appreciation for the power of small kindnesses (handwritten letters, cups of tea), and an acute sensitivity to the conditions that often make this world such a dangerous place in which to build a life and sustain a family. In that spirit, she pursued a career as a nurse, and she also joined her husband, Tony (who predeceased her) in many volunteer efforts in Harrison and beyond. She continued her volunteer work when she moved to Sandwich, MA, in 2008.

She was also an incredibly organized and meticulous person, and never, ever wanted to be a burden on anyone, to the extent that she wrote notes for her own obituary, years ago. She also wanted to be sure we got it right. Here, based on her words:

* * *

Helen Hallas Fazio died on November 24, 2016, from diabetes, cancer, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and high cholesterol, all complicated by old age; she was 92-and-a half years old.

She was born in the Byram section of Greenwich, Connecticut, May 13, 1924, to Regina Stempien Hallas (who died in 1980) and Josef Hallas (who was killed by an automobile on Main Street in Port Chester in 1930).

She graduated from the Greenwich, Connecticut High School in 1942, Averett Junior College (now Averett University) in 1944, Cornell University New York Hospital School of Nursing in 1947, and Columbia University Graduate School in 1961 (with an M.S. in Nursing). In college, she was active in the debating and yearbook clubs; she was also elected to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She also took nursing courses at Yale University.

Her work experience included pediatric nursing at the New York Hospital, private duty pediatric nursing in France, public health nursing in Greenwich, Connecticut, and pediatric nursing for a private practice in Greenwich. While working as a public health nurse in the Hamilton Avenue School District of Greenwich, she was elected president of the Hamilton Avenue School PTA. For the last 18 years of her nursing career, she was a School Nurse Teacher at the Harrison High School.

After her nursing career, she donated her time and energy to raising money for the Covenant House, a nonprofit serving homeless youth, and she participated in other volunteer efforts as a member of the Evergreen Twig Organization for the benefit of the United Hospital Medical Center in Port Chester. She also held many garage sales for the benefit of the American Diabetes Association.

* * *

Helen is survived by her daughter, Regina Fazio Maruca, her son-in-law, Joseph Vincent Maruca, her granddaughters Nina and Carly (who were the source of her greatest joy and pride), and by many dear relatives and rela-friends.

Helen’s Burial will be private. However, members of Helen’s immediate family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for all of the love and support they have received, and continue to receive, from family and friends.

If you would like to do something to honor Helen’s life, please make a donation to the American Diabetes Association or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Also, please wash your hands and stay with the group.

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