Helen (Brittain) Corletzi

HELEN BRITTAIN CORLETZI

Helen Brittain Corletzi, 99, of Canfield, died Friday evening, July 8, 2016, at her residence.

Helen was born July 2, 1917 in the same bedroom of the family farmhouse as her father in Negley, Ohio. She was the eldest of six children of Matilda (Mackall) and Ralph Brittain. She attended many schools growing up before graduating as valedictorian of Struthers High School Class of 1934. She got her teaching certificate from Kent University and began her teaching career in Youngstown Schools. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Education from Youngstown State University in 1956. She returned to teaching in Canfield Schools in 1950 and taught 6th grade for many years, retiring in 1973.

On February 8, 1941, she married Louis Corletzi. Helen and Louis were a handsome, loving and wonderful couple who loved to dance, play golf, play cards and travel. Louis passed away on May 16, 1989. Although they did not have any children, Helen loved all her students. She was strict but fair.

Helen loved to travel, traveling extensively through the United States and Europe with her husband and later with her sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Austin Fish. She was also the driver for adventurous day trips with sisters-in-law, Cal and Eleanor.

She was preceded in death by her siblings: brothers, James and Herbert Brittain, and sisters, Elaine Halstead, Betty Yukech and Lois Fish.

She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Carmella Corletzi and Eileen Corletzi; brothers-in-law, Austin Fish and Robert Halstead. She loved her 17 nieces and nephews and numerous, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

She was a member of the Canfield United Methodist Church, Mahoning County Retired Teachers and State Retired Teacher organizations.

This tribute does not begin to reflect what a dynamic, intelligent, interesting, beautiful person she was in life.

The family would especially like to thank her caregivers for the past several years: Mary Ann, Sylvia, Nicole, Joyce, Darla, Laurie, Faye, Tess and Barbara. They treated her like a spoiled princess and loved her dearly. She - and we - were so fortunate to have them in her life.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, 10:00 AM at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market St., Boardman followed by a luncheon at the Davis-Becker Family Center. Interment will follow the luncheon at Glenview Cemetery in East Palestine.

Family and friends may call Friday from 4-7 PM and Saturday from 9-9:45 AM at the funeral home.