Helen I. Marchetta

Helen (Elena) Iona Marchetta, 96 years old, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026.

Helen was born on June 10, 1929 to Italian immigrant parents who instilled a strong family value in her and her siblings. She graduated from Buchtel High School in 1947. She met the love of her life, her husband Dan, at the home of mutual friends. Soon after, they were married at St. Peter’s Church on October 31, 1953.

While Dan worked three jobs, Helen was a dedicated wife and mother, maintaining the home, raising four active boys, baking their favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and supporting her husband in every way possible. Family meant everything to her. She and her sister, Lil, took care of their beloved mother in-home for many years after their father’s passing. As her family grew with 11 grandchildren, she often babysat and was always ready to make pastina for them on demand. Helen was also a “second mother” to the only girl among 12 children on her side of the family, her niece Luann, who contributed greatly with love and care throughout her life.

Helen and Dan travelled to many wonderful and exotic places in the winter when he wasn’t as busy, and maintained a winter home in Boca Raton, Florida in their later years. Many guests enjoyed their hospitality, and she loved when family and grandchildren came for spring break. She spent many happy hours playing cards. Helen loved to play Gin Rummy with her friends (where a big afternoon win was $3.00), and games of 3-13 with her grandchildren.

Helen also spent a lot of time crocheting innumerable blankets, one for every baby she encountered, and some for babies not born yet. For decades she volunteered weekly at the gift shop at St. Thomas Hospital.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Tomasso and Elisabetta Iona; her beloved husband of 61 years, Dan; her brother Anthony Iona and his wife Carmella; brothers-in-law Joseph Sansonetti and Sam Marchetta and his wife Isabelle; and sister-in-law Jean Marchetta.

She is survived by sister, Adelia “Lil” Sansonetti; brother-in-law Joe Marchetta; her children Russell (Sheryl), Daniel (Ginger), David (Kimberly), and Michael (Lisa); 11 grandchildren, Ashley, Taylor (Alyssa), Alexia, Halle, Carin (Pablo), Alec, Abbe, Matthew, John, Andrew, and Olivia; and great-granddaughter, Ellianna.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the St. Hilary Church Foundation at 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, OH 44333.

Visitation will be held at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH on Wednesday, February 11 from 4:00-7:00 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, OH on Thursday, February 12 at 11:30 am. Interment will be immediately following at Rose Hill Burial Park, Fairlawn, Ohio.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Home and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel.