Helen Aquilo

Helen Aquilo, 93, of Rome, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 10, 2015 at the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after a brief illness. She was born on June 17, 1922 in Iselin, PA, the daughter of Dominick and Inez Cerasoli Darcangelo. On October 13, 1951, in St. John the Baptist Church, she married Nicholas Aquilo who passed away on November 30, 1986. She was a graduate of RFA and was then employed at GAFB. Additionally, Helen was self employed as a beautician for several years. She was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed knitting, crocheting and quilting for her many nieces and nephews. She was a gifted cook and was especially known for her "perfect" pizzelles. She generously passed along these talents to the next generation. She also shared her gifts with the Ava Dorfman Senior Center and the Rome Memorial Hospital. Most babies born there left the birthing center wearing one of her knit caps. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, the Ava Dorfman Senior Center and the South Rome Senior Center. Helen is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Leonard Gratch; a brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Josephine Darcangelo, all of Rome. She was not blessed with children but was dearly loved by her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Stella Coccagnia and Josephine "Pip" Alberico and three brothers, A. Rick D'Arcangelo, Rocco Darcangelo and Lawrence Darcangelo. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for their loving care and compassion. Funeral services will be celebrated on Wednesday at 12 noon in St. John the Baptist Church for a Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio as celebrant. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Wednesday from 11:15 to 12 noon, prior to the Mass. Contributions may be made in Helen's memory to St. John the Baptist Church Memorial Fund or the Ava Dorfman Senior Center. Envelopes will be available at the Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St. Online tributes may be made at: www.bottinifuneralhome.com.