Helene Scanlan Cenci, devoted loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister passed away at home on March 25, 2023, surrounded by love from family. As her family now grieves friends share stories of her kindness, generosity, and humor.
Helene was born on May 21, 1940, in Paterson, NJ to Martin John. and Helene Scanlan. Helene was the loving wife, married 57 years to Dante Cenci. She was a loving devoted mother of Maura Cenci-Meiser ( and CJ) of East Greenwich, RI, and Dante J. Cenci (and Sunita) of Key Biscayne, FL. Helene is survived by her sisters Suellen Franz and Barbara Scanlan. Grandma Nana Helene deeply cherished and championed her five grandchildren, Keira, Maeve, and Kai Meiser, and Salma and Bela Cenci. Helene was predeceased by her sister Regina MacDonald and her brothers John Martin Scanlan III and Charles J. Scanlan. She loved being with them and hearing about all their adventures. Her favorite thing was spending time with them, especially at her beloved lake house. Helene was a creative person who loved to quilt, garden, watch old, classic movies or musicals and make her famous plum jam.
She was a graduate of Marymount College and then went on to get a master’s degree in special education. Her creativity made her a dynamic teacher for over 25 years. Helene was a smart, capable person that supported her students and family modeling kindness and open-mindedness mixed with many dashes of good humor. Helene was a strong, kind, and thoughtful woman who will be missed dearly and remembered in the many lives she touched.
Reposing, Waterbury & Kelly Funeral Home on Friday from 4-8 PM. Funeral Mass, St. Theresa's Church, Briarcliff Manor, NY on Saturday at 10 AM. Interment, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY to follow.
Memorial Donations may be given to PANCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Network) LINK: https://secure.pancan.org/site/TR/DIY/DIYTeamraisers?px=3440817&pg=personal&fr_id=2443
WATERBURY & KELLY FUNERAL HOME
1300 Pleasantville Road
Briarcliff Manor, New York 10510
914-941-0838
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