HELENA PIEROTTI

PIEROTTI, Helena M. "Lena," passed away peacefully Monday, August 26, 2013 at the age of 101. She was born in Richmond to Teopista Rela Pierotti and Joseph John Pierotti on March 29, 1912. Her father immigrated from Italy in 1902 and on a return visit he married Teopista. Lena frequently recounted that her father was the man Teopista loved, much to the dismay of the man her parents had chosen for her (who had threatened to jump off a bridge if he lost her.) Her father owned and operated Pierotti's Lunch Room at 6th and Broad for 47 years until 1961 and was famous for his Smithfield Ham Sandwiches, serving as many as 1,000 people per day during WWII. "We were great friends of the Markow's," Lena would say when talking about her love of flowers. "Mr. Marco would give us beautiful flowers and my father would let him keep flowers in the room below his store." Lena was the eldest of three devoted sisters, she was preceded in death by her sister, Fosca Pierotti O'Grady (d. July 28, 1995) and Flavia Marie Pierotti (d. October 12, 2012); and is survived by cousins, Joseph A. Pierotti and his wife, Valerie, their children, Jennifer, Matthew and Mark Pierotti; Joanne L. Pierotti and her daughter, Betsie B. Pierotti; and Elizabeth M. Pierotti. Lena graduated from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md., as a Registered Dietician and worked in local schools until her retirement. She was an active and faithful member of St. Paul's Catholic Church. She recounted until her passing that her mother always told her "Dio e buono. Dio non ti manda piu di quanto si puo sopportare. So non brontolare! God is good. He doesn't send you more than you can stand. So don't complain!" The family wishes to express their gratitude to Janet and Nick Faraone and the Senior Bridge staff and aides for the compassionate care provided to both Lena and Flavia over several years. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, August 29, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, 909 Rennie Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Bliley's-Staples Mill.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.