Helen (Ficzner) Antonucci

Helen Antonucci (nee Ficzner) passed away peacefully on February 16, 2021 at age 96.

Helen was married to her sweetheart Bob for 64 years before his death in 2012. She is survived by sons, Joe (Heather) of Stow, Ed (Anne) of Randolph, NJ, Jerry (Sally)of Kent and Bob (Jane) of Barberton; grandchildren, TJ (Sarah), Chris (Megan), Michael (Emily), Eric, Matt, Kate, Sarah (Andrew), Andrew and Bethany; great- grandchildren, Dylan and Katherine; her brother, Bob (Wilma); and many nieces and nephews. She was very involved with her grandchildren, taking great pride in their accomplishments and more recently sharing with them how to prepare some of her family recipes and deserts. Her great-grandchildren brought her a renewed excitement for sharing pictures having their colorful drawings on display. Helen and Bob raised their family in Fairlawn where they lived for 63 years before she moved to The Village of St. Edward, Fairlawn in 2017.

Helen was born in Cleveland to Joseph and Margaret Ficzner (the oldest with two brothers and one sister) and grew up working in her dad's grocery store. She attended Notre Dame High School, graduating in 1944. She worked at Kroger in various office positions. She met Bob at Cedar Point and they were married in 1948. After a wonderful east coast honeymoon trip that included Key West, they settled in Akron. Helen was a stay at home mom raising her four boys before becoming very involved in various clubs and volunteer programs.

She was a charter member of St. Hilary Parish, Fairlawn, and was very active in various groups and committees including the Altar Society. Volunteering took her to a brand new St Edward’s Home in 1966. She was a long-term member and held leadership positions in St Sebastian Garden Club and The Christ Child Society of Akron. Helen was a member of the St. Thomas Women’s Board driving all over Northeast Ohio selling “Day at the Races” tickets for the board’s major fundraiser. She volunteered at St. Thomas for many years involved mainly in their gift shop. She made the cherished lace baptismal bonnets that were sold through this gift shop for the many babies born there. She was especially pleased with the distinctive award recognizing her 20,000 plus volunteer hours. She loved playing (and winning at) dominos with family and friends and started a weekly dominos game at St. Edward’s. She loved traveling, including family visits to California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida and Maryland. One of her favorite trips was to the Grand Canyon and Sedona, Arizona for her 90th birthday. She thoroughly enjoyed her four years at The Village of St Edward and loved watering plants and decorating for the various holidays and events. She had many close friends over the years and particularly enjoyed a group that she called her Soul Sisters, a widow support group.

Calling hours are 10 AM, Saturday, February 20 at St Hilary Catholic Church, Fairlawn, OH 44333, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Interment is at All Saints Cemetery, Northfield, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Village of St. Edward Foundation 3131 Smith Road Fairlawn, Ohio 44333 and Archbishop Hoban High School One Holy Cross Blvd, Akron, OH 44306. The family thanks the St Ed’s community and their nursing team and Summa Care Hospice for all their care and support.


 

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