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February 8, 2011
Helen Novelli, of Mountain Top, passed away Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at the age of 79.
Born in Pringle, on September 18, 1931, she was a daughter of late Rose (Nealon) and John Cannon.
She attended Pringle High School. A graduate of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, she furthered her education at Misericordia, where she received her degree in nursing. Upon completion of nursing school, she started her career working at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, N.Y.
Returning to the Wyoming Valley, she continued as a nurse through the years, spending time at Nesbitt Hospital then pursuing various positions at other area hospitals, health care facilities, as a nursing instructor and a dedicated private duty nurse. She was a professional caregiver with extraordinary compassion.
Helen and her husband, Walt, settled in Mountain Top, where they remained married for 30 years before his passing in 1996. She was always an avid reader who also enjoyed caring for her plants and walks with friends. In her later years, she took pleasure in taking rides around Harveys Lake recalling countless memorable visits made there in her youth.
She was a faithful member of St. Jude’s parish. She will be deeply missed by family and friends. The family would like to extend deep appreciation to the staff members at St. Therese Residence and Smith Nursing Home.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Walter M. Novelli; sisters Celia Kilheeney, Mary Cannon, and Rose Dardes; and brother, Jack Cannon.
Surviving are her sister Catherine (Cassie) Obeid, Plains Township; daughter, Mary Louise Kochanowicz, and her husband, Andrew, Wailingford, Pa.; son Dr. Walter J. Novelli, and his wife, Tanya, Mountain Top; and son Lou Novelli, Philadelphia; as well as five grandchildren, Grace, Audrey, Lilia, Jack and Ella; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday from the Desiderio Funeral Home Inc., 436 S. Mountain Blvd., state Route 309, Mountain Top, with a Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 a.m. at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, Mountain Top. Interment will be held in St. Ignatius Cemetery, Pringle. Friends may pay their respects from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed at www.desideriofh.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.