Victoria Marie Helms

January 29, 1929 – July 14, 2022

Victoria Marie Helms passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on July 14, 2022. She was born January 29, 1929 in South Boston, Massachusetts to Michael Angelo Cirignano and Sebastiana Camarco Cirignano.

Victoria married John Houston Helms and together they raised four children while serving in the U.S. Navy. Victoria continued many traditions that her parents instilled in her. From her devout upbringing in the Catholic Church, Victoria insured her children attended Sunday masses and Catholic Catechism classes every weekend. There were family picnics, trips to the beach, hosting birthday parties and enjoying military social events with her husband. The most fulfilling aspect of her life was ensuring her family was loved. Victoria was always heard saying that “she loved her children with all her heart.”

In 1968 her husband retired from the U.S. Navy and the family relocated to Pensacola, Florida. At this point in Victoria’s life, she sought out opportunities to nurture other children and over the course of 37 years she was employed as the Church Nursery Director for both The Fairfield Presbyterian Church, and The Church of The Nazarene. In her spare time, she was an avid bingo player and exercised at the N.A.S. Corry Field Senior Wellness Center. Victoria enjoyed the camaraderie of being with friends, where she loved to laugh, joke and have a good time.

Victoria M. Helms is preceded in death by her husband John Houston Helms and son James Robert Helms; her parents Michael Angelo Cirignano and Sebastiana Camarco Cirignano; brothers Michael and George Cirignano; sister Ida Cappy, sister Claire Chandler, and twin sister Frances Lantz.

Victoria M. Helms is survived by her son Michael Houston Helms and his wife Julie; daughter Sharon Ann Veach and her husband Denny; son John Coleman Helms and his wife Sherrie. Victoria is also survived by four grandchildren Sharon, Megan, Lyndsay, Cory, and six great grand-children Mallory, Leah, Brandon, Mason, Brody and Lyric.

Our family extends many thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Naval Air Station Pensacola Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital, Covenant Hospice, Suncrest Omni, and her new family that welcomed her so graciously at “The Waterford at Carpenter’s Creek Retirement Community.”

A private Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 10:30 am at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Helms family.