Janine & Family, 

I always think of your mom around the holidays. I have such vivid memories to this day of our time at St. Michael’s School. A few days ago, my daughter asked me where I had learned to wrap presents so beautifully. And I remembered my mother always admiring your mom’s perfectly wrapped items with baubles from Hahne’s and her encouraging me to gift wrap like the Leahy’s and Damiano’s. What sweet memories. 

I googled your mom today and was saddened to learn that she had passed away this past spring. What a truly classy, sassy lady she was that all these years later she is so indelibly etched in my mind. She would send me notes and articles over the years, keeping me posted on your adventures. She was so proud of you and your family. I last spoke to her in 2013. I saw that you also lost your dad since then. But what wonderful well-lived lives they had. You were so fortunate to have them by your side all these years. 

I can picture her and your dad sharing a holiday toast in a special corner of heaven reserved exclusively for class acts. 

Fondly,
Maryann Riviello Brennan 
Loudonville,  NY

When I think back on my childhood I have the fondest memories of when my Grandma and Pop used to visit. They were the kindest, happiest people on earth. Grandma always had gifts and compliments to bring and those days were always special days. As I got older I remember my grandma always calling our house and calling me when no one answered the house phone. I found so much comfort listening to my mother talk to my grandma on the phone from the next room over because how much she cared about me, my brothers, and my mom was so heartwarming. In her older age, when grandma could no longer pick up her phone and call our house I missed it so much. I also missed visiting her apartment that even years later always held the same feeling of comfort. I also missed the relationship between my grandma and pop because they truly loved each other so much it made me so happy to think about. Grandma was truly the most kindhearted person, I can't even think of a time she was ever mean. I am so lucky to have had such amazing grandparents who taught me nothing but kindness and compassion. My Grandma will be missed by everyone who had known her and we will always remember her as the kindhearted, silly, sassy, and loving person she was. Rest in peace Grandma I love you so much.

To all:  Janine and Al, Billy and Phyllis-Ann, Christopher, Michael and Amanda:

I was very sad to hear the news about Aunt Helen; she was my godmother and such a sweet, wonderful lady.
I always enjoyed seeing her and listening to her stories. I miss coming up for visits like we did in our younger years. 

May she rest in peace and may all of you be comforted by your fond memories.

To my Cousins Janine and Al, Billy and Phyllis-Ann, Christopher, Michael and Amanda - 

I was so sad to hear the news about Aunt Helen!  
She was sweet, feisty and always had funny and interesting stories.  I miss the days visiting at Clifton Avenue.  We still talked on the phone when she and Uncle Bill moved to Verona, I visited them their a few times, usually each year on Good Friday when I would come up to visit my father's grave and others.  She (and Aunt Edith always welcomed my mother too).  The last of the Vitiello siblings, truly the end of an era.  She loved her family, was loved by many and now she is again with her true love.  
Rest in eternal peace!  

With love, Cousin Marisa Vitiello 

Billy, Phyllis Ann, Janine, Al, Christopher, Michael and Amanda:

We are so very sorry about your Mom/Grandma.  She was so sweet, bubbly and engaging whenever we saw her and we always walked away smiling because her bright spirit was so contagious.  We are holding you close in our prayers and in our hearts. 

Our love,
Lisa, Raquel, Sam & Natalie 


Billy, Janine and Family,

I want to express my deepest sympathy to all of you.  Your mother was a great woman and always had a smile on her face and full of happiness.  Our Christmas dinners every year are nice memories to have.  Glad she was a part of them.  Both your parents were good people.

She will be missed.

May she rest in peace.

Thinking of you today.

Love,
Rose DiMeola

There are so many wonderful memories I am blessed to have of Mrs. Leahy. The very early days when Uncle Al and Aunt Janine first met to shopping for a flower girl dress for their wedding, getting to celebrate  birthdays, holidays, many family parties, and even my own wedding. She was kind, she was gentle, her happiness when she got to spend time with you was always genuine.  I’ll miss our little chats at Uncle Al & Aunt Janine’s kitchen table and the sweet way you would link your arm into mine and pull me close to you to tell me how happy you were to see me.  
Rest well, Mrs.Leahy. You will be deeply missed. 

Uncle Al, Aunt Janine, Chris, Mikey & Amanda, Bill & Phyllis, We are  so sorry for your loss. Know that you are all in our hearts. 
Love, 
Matt, Shelly, Dom & Nicky 

I found another photo of (L to R): Aunt Rae, Aunt Helen, My Mom Muff and Aunt Edith.  I think the baby is Amanda at her baptism. This is such a nice photo, I had to share.

Thinking of all you today.

Love, 
Cousin Michele

I'll always remember my grandmother as a warm and generous person. I'll never forget the time when I was younger and absolutely adored a small bowl of chocolates she had in her house, she just let me eat them one after another despite my parents' chagrin. She'd sooner give me the entire bag to take home than disappoint me. I'll also always remember her calling me over to her side of the table at family parties to discuss the cuteness of my nose with the other elderly ladies. Although I was always embarrassed, I knew it came form a place of pride and love. 

Billy, Janine and  Family.  We are truly sorry for the loss of your mom,I remember our Christmas get togethers with your mom,she always had a smile on her face. She will truly be missed. Our Prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.    Rest in Peace!

We will miss you, Aunt Helen.  We always had such nice conversations and reminisces about the family.  Your oldest sister, Sadie, always remarked about you being in her wedding as the Flower Girl.
Great Niece Marie Sereno
(Picture of Sadie Vitiello and Anthony Ricigliano’s wedding party, October 1929; Flower Girl  Helen Vitiello, 6 years old,  seated to the right of the Groom)

Dear Janine, Billy and Families,

My deepest sympathies to you and your children.  The Vitiello family and the Gerardo family were very close.  We lived on the same street (Clifton Avenue)  but a few blocks apart.  
We visited the Vitiellos  many times. 
Those memories we will always remember.  

May peace be with you.
Cousin, Marie (Gerardo) and family.

Mom, I will truly miss you, you always treated me like a son, you were not ever a mother in law to be but my other mother, I will miss you dearly, I will always remember the times when you and Bill would come to the house, whether it was the early days when the children were young or when everyone got older and we would celebrate birthdays, weddings and other family occasions.  You were always kind to everyone you met, and I will miss your smile, and your never ending compliments about the family, the house, and your appreciation for the flowers I planted in the spring.  I know you are with Bill and the rest of the family.  Always know we love you.

Janine, Billy and Family,

Our sincerest condolences. We are saddened by Aunt Helen’s passing. Our prayers are with you. Our memories go back to the Nichols Apartments in Florida and all the happy occasions we spent together.

She is now at rest with Uncle Bill.

Mario and Rosanne

For my Special Aunt Helen - you were one of a kind.  I will always cherish the many Sunday dinners on Clifton Ave - we laughed, we fought, we were Family.   I pray that you have been united with Uncle Bill again and the rest of the Vitiello's  & Leahy's - I pray that you watch over the rest of us.....Until we meet again.  Love you Always,
Michele
(photo attached are just SOME of the Vitiello's(

Billy, Janine & family, 
We are so truly sorry.  Our deepest condolences to you all.  Sorry we can’t be there physically but we are there in spirit and in your hearts. Your mom was so sweet and will be missed.  You are all in our thoughts. 
We love you all.  xoxo
Emil & Rosemarie Cardona


My grandmother had a big impact in my life. She was someone who was always there for you and someone you could rely on. She will be missed and I will always remember the good times she spent In my life.

Our prayers and thoughts our with Billy, Phyllis Ann, Janine and her family during this sad time.  Your mom was always so sweet and such a pleasure to be around especially when we spent time with her at Christmas dinner. She will be missed.  May she Rest In Peace.

 With deepest condolences,
 Donna, Michael, Michael Jr. and Joseph

M y  mother would tell me that I was a great daughter and I never gave her any grief even as a teen. Well I would say that was because she was such a good mother, She would give advice if I asked but never told me what to do. Now that I have 3 children of my own I realize what a difficult feat that is. My mother had 14 brothers and sisters and even though she was one of the younger ones she always took on the role of caregiver. What a strong and loving person she was.  She shared stories of her childhood with a mixture of nostalgia and love. She had life long friends even into her 90's. They met in grade school and called themselves the "club girls". My mother was an avid reader and her favorite quote was Shakespeare's "to thine own self be true. She told me to live by those words and I'd figure out what to do. Oh mom how wise you were. Go find Dad and all your brothers and sisters and the club girls. You left me physically but I will always carry you in my heart and will try to remember to be true to myself.

The excitement in mothers eyes every time she saw me made me feel like I was the only person in the world.  I will cherish those memories and the love she showed me my entire life. 

I will miss her greatly.  

May you rest in peace mom.  You are now with dad and all your brothers and sisters.  I know you're smiling.

I'll love you forever,
Your son, Billy

There are so many wonderful memories over the past 25 years that I have but if I could sum it up in a phrase it would be this … she was truly the best mother-in-law one could ever ask for her.  She never once made me feel like a daughter-in-law.  I was always family from day one.  That holds true for my late father-in-law, Bill as well.  I was blessed.

Her smile, kindness and lovingness will live on.  The love she showed me I will never forget for those are the memories I will hold dear.  

May you rest in my peace my mother-in-law and now you can join hands with Bill.

Love forever,
Phyllis Ann 

OBITUARY

Helen S Leahy

September 8, 1923 – April 29, 2020

Goble Funeral Home

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