Helen Boccio

STRUTHERS - There will be prayer services Wednesday at 9:15 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland, and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at the Infant Jesus of Prague Church in Boardman with Rev. Msgr. Alexis Mihalik as the Celebrant, for Helen Boccio, 85 of 572 Audrey Lane, who died suddenly Saturday morning at her residence. Mrs. Boccio was born March 9, 1921 in Struthers, a daughter of John & Catherine Skokan Novotny. She was a 1940 graduate of Struthers High School, and soon after graduation moved to Lynbrook, New York, where she had made her home and raised her Family. She worked at the A & P Grocery Store, as a bookkeeper for many years. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1972, where she made her home for fifteen years, and worked Night shift as a production Manager for GTE and returned to Struthers in 1987, where she resided till her death. A devout Catholic, she was a member of Infant Jesus of Prague, where she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She helped and organized many projects. Her pride and joy was helping with Bake Sales for Christmas and Easter, where she was known for her delicious Kolachi. A supportive mother, she was an integral part of her child's life, Frank, Jr., who she helped and guided to become a mature and wonderful young man with disabilities. Her strength and fortitude were tremendous for a woman of her age. And her outlook on life was impeccable. She was kind and companionate and was ready to help anyone, no matter how big or small the project was to encounter, and she was always there for you. She was proud of her Slovak heritage, and her family. She completed a genealogy coat of arms for the Novotny family with great endeavor and hard work by contacting many organizations, by visiting Ellis Island, Czechoslovakia, talking to friends and family to help keep the heritage of the Novotny family intact. She knitted and crocheted many beautiful items that she distributed to friends and families to be cherished for years to come. She enjoyed traveling and going on bus trips with her son Frank, Jr., especially, New York City. She is survived by two sons, Anthony (Allen Armstrong) Boccio, of Fairplay, CO; Frank Boccio, Jr., of Struthers, one daughter Camille (Jerry) Allen-Kaiser, four sisters Elizabeth Rosse, Hillsville; Irene Kollar of Boardman, Mary Mehley of Struthers, Dorothy Novotny of Youngstown, one brother, Michael Novotny, one Grandson, Kristopher Boccio of California. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Hudock, Ann Sussman, Mary Novotny, two brothers John ,Joseph and James Novotny. Family will receive friends Tuesday from 4-7 pm at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland, where Parastas will be held at 4:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com

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