Helen DiVITO

DiVITO, Helen

Heaven became a better place Friday, February 10, 2017, welcoming Helen DiVito, who devoted her entire life to caring for others. The only daughter in a home with five sons, her strength, courage, and leadership were indisputable since youth. As an emergency department registered nurse for more than 30 years, Helen cared for thousands of strangers as if they were friends. But no greater act of compassion exceeds her devoted and selfless care of our mother since the passing of our father in 2005.

A 1975 graduate of St. Petersburg Catholic High School and then Barry College, Helen was also a Captain in the 131st M.A.S.H. unit in Florida's Army National Guard from 1988 to 2002.

Although accreditations in advanced cardiac life support, critical care, trauma, risk management, and ethics instruction certified her nursing skills, her patients' and coworkers' opinions were the true affirmation of Helen's passion for excellence. Having only worked at Bay Pines Veterans Hospital briefly before being diagnosed with cancer, the entire Ambulatory Surgery Unit wore pink on Helen's return to work after chemotherapy.

First caring for others in the emergency rooms at Bayfront Medical Center and Edward White Hospital, Helen was Director of the Emergency Departments at Largo Medical Center and Memorial Hospital of Tampa, where she was promoted to Chief Nursing Officer in 2000. Corporate advancement was understandable for a clinician with Helen's skills, but she gave up a position as Director of Clinical Services for Iasis Healthcare Corporation to be closer to our mom when our dad passed away. Day surgery patients at Palms of Pasadena and later Bay Pines Veterans Hospital benefited from her unselfish move home.

Joyfully embracing Helen in heaven are her father, John and brother, Phil. Missing her on earth are her mother, Gloria; brothers, Joe (Theresa), Nick (Lynda), Paul (Vicky), and Allyn (Tracy); nieces and nephews include Brian (Christina), Nicole (Mike), Rob, Lisa, Neil (Samantha), Tommy, Emily, and Genevieve.

In lieu of flowers, Helen asked that family and friends carry on a tradition she cherished at Christmas; make a donation to the charity of your choice and tell others why they deserved it.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at 6 pm, Monday, February 13, at Rococo Steak, 655 2nd Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 11:30 am, February 14, Helen's 60th Valentine's birthday, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 1800 12th St. N., St. Petersburg. Memorial available at www.brettfuneralhome.net