Obituary
Helen Terese Caldarone, aged 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family in Vero Beach, Florida. Born to Cornelius M Flynn and Helen G Keefe in Garden City, NY, Helen led a remarkable life filled with creativity, service, and unwavering devotion to her loved ones.
A talented artist, Helen earned her Master of Fine Arts degree from Marymount Manhattan College, a testament to her passion and dedication to her craft. In the early 1960s, she embarked on a teaching journey at an army base in Vicenza, Italy, where she not only imparted knowledge but also forged lifelong friendships. Returning to New York, she dedicated herself to educating students in the Levittown School District, where fate introduced her to her beloved husband, Eugene P. Caldarone. Later, in the late 1970s, she blazed a trail as the first female Deputy Supervisor in Babylon Village on Long Island, NY.
A devout parishioner of St. Helens Church in Vero Beach, FL, Helen played an active role in the Catholic community, radiating humility and positivity wherever she went. Her spiritual journey led her to fulfill a lifelong dream in 1992, as she was formally accepted as a Third Order Franciscan, now known as the Order of Franciscan Secular OFS.
Helen leaves behind a legacy of love and kindness cherished by her four children: Carol of Vero Beach, Andrew of Mentor, Ohio, Ann of Astoria, NY, and Peter of Vero Beach, FL along with her adoring granddaughters, Angie and Maria Caldarone, and Lucia and Penelope Mascia.
Visitation will be held from 12:30-1:30pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL. 32960.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2PM, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2000 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL. 32960. Interment to follow at Crestlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of Helen Caldarone to the VNA Hospice House, honoring her compassionate spirit and commitment to caring for others in their time of need. https://vnatc.org/waystogive/honor-a-caregiver/
Helen's presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her.
An online guestbook is available at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com