Helena J. Mauceri

Helena Anne Jessel Mauceri, age 81, of Wheaton, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Helena is preceded in death by her loving husband Frank Mauceri, her parents Joseph and Helena (Clifford) Jessel and her older brother, Joseph Jessel Jr.
Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt and friend. Survived by her older sister Mary Clarke; children Joseph (Amanda) Mauceri, Michael (Jamie) Mauceri; a beloved grandmother to 6 grandchildren; Annabel, Anthony, Carly, Brayden, Andrew, and Alex. Loving aunt to Chip (Eva) Clarke, Michael (Toby) Clarke, Martin (Michelle) Clarke, Damien (Denise) Mauceri and Tina (George) Ugalde; and a great aunt to Julie, Nick, Geo and Amelia.
Helena grew up in Falls Church, VA. She attended American University where she earned a masters degree in biology. She continued her educational journey in DeKalb, Illinois, where she earned a doctorate in endocrinology at Northern Illinois University.
Helena spent the early portion of her career, teaching biology at George Williams College, College of DuPage and Northern Illinois University. The second half of her career was spent in cancer research at the University of Chicago. After retirement, Helena enjoyed spending time with her loving husband, Frank, her two sons, two daughter-in-law's and six grandchildren, along with many close friends, attending many activities and outings.
Through a common friend, Frank and Helena met in Arlington, Virginia in 1967. They were later married in 1970 and moved to La Grange Highlands, IL. Later they moved to Clarendon Hills, IL where they started a family before settling permanently in Wheaton, IL in July 1984. Together the four of them were very close. Despite many professional achievements, Helena was most proud of the family she built.
Helena was a born leader. She was strong and highly successful at whatever she put her mind to. Helena was outgoing, kind, nurturing and fun. She believed life was all about people. Christmas was her favorite time of year and she had no fewer than three Christmas trees in her home during the holiday season. Helena was also passionate about capturing family moments through photography.
Before Helena went to meet her Lord and Savior, she acknowledged to her family that she had "A Great Life." She will be forever missed.
Visitation Saturday December 20, 2025 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. Prayers at 10:30 a.m. before proceeding to 11 a.m. Mass at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church 101 W. Loop Rd., Wheaton, IL 60189. Interment at St. Michael Cemetery Wheaton, IL followed by a Celebration of her life to follow at Il Sogno in Wheaton 100 N Hale St 2nd Floor, Wheaton, IL 60187. Information @ www.williams-kampp.com or (630) 668-0016. In lieu of flowers donations appreciated to St. Jude’s Children's Research Center @ www.stjude.org or the charity of your choice in her name.