Helen R. Portfilio
Helen R. Portfilio of Sanborn, N.Y., passed peacefully Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at her daughter's home in Aurora, Ill.
Helen was born Jan. 17, 1930, in Bakerstown, Pa., the daughter of the late Paul and Emma Petrovan Prusnak.
Helen graduated from Mars High School and Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Devoted to the well-being, caring, and nurturing of others, Helen was employed as a registered nurse with various health care providers for more than 50 years including service in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
She was a longtime member of the Immaculate Conception Church, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. She was a volunteer at the Dale Association, St. Vincent de Paul, and Stella Niagara.
Helen's greatest calling was to be the proud mother of five children as well as a grandmother and great-grandmother. She would often say her grandchildren and great-grandchildren made her “heart very happy.”
Mrs. Portfilio is survived by her children, Joseph, Mary Elizabeth (Louis) Knotts, Anthony Paul, Paul (Renee) Jerome and Stephanie (Jeffrey) Moore; her grandchildren, Douglas (Kelly) Knotts, Sarah (Brandon) Leone and Emma Knotts, Jack and Abigail Portfilio, Giuseppe Portfilio, Julia, Joshua, Matthew and Jonathan Moore; and her great-grandchildren, Molly and Bradley Knotts, and Ava Grace Leone.
She also is survived by her sisters, Mary Veccharella, Florence Danner, Josephine (Joseph) Monteleone and Kathleen Cervone; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mrs. Portfilio was preceded in death by her former husband, Anthony F. Portfilio; and her sister, Agnes Smutney.
PORTFILIO — Family of Helen R. Portfilio, who died Tuesday, April 11, 2017, will be present from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 5893 Hoover Road, Sanborn, N.Y.A Mass of Christian burial with military honors will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Immaculate Conception Church, 4671 Townline Road, Ransomville, N.Y.Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church.Visit rhoneyfuneralhome.com for a guest register.
