Helga Berta Elisabeth Friederich Lazzarotto, age 92, passed away peacefully in Sacramento, California, on June 13, 2016. She was born in Berlin, Germany, in July 1923 and immigrated with her parents, Ernst and Else Friederich, to California where she lived most of her life. In 1948, she enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where she met and married her husband, Gino, while they were both students. Her husband was the love of her life and although meeting and marrying after only a couple of months, they were happily married for 54 years. In June 2000, they celebrated their 50th Golden Anniversary in Auburn along with their family and friends. Gino passed away in 2004. Her parents and her cherished older brother, Herbert, preceded her in death. Helga is survived by her four children and their spouses: her son Roland (Becky), her daughter Heidi (Rob Selway), her daughter Annette (Bill Palmer), and her daughter Carol (Robert Stoltz). Helga centered her life on raising her children and was proud that all four were Cal graduates.She leaves nine grandchildren: Rosie Gillette (John); Robert Selway, Dan Selway (Andrea), Andrew Selway, Luke Selway; Joel Johnson; and Madeline, Juliette and Alexander Stoltz. All of her grandchildren brought great joy to her life and affectionately called her Oma. She was also a great grandmother to Benjamin, Joaquin and Asa Gillette.Helga was a registered nurse and worked at Campbell Soup Company in Sacramento for 20 years before retiring to live happily on their Newcastle ranch in the foothills of the Sierras. Together with her husband Gino, they created a country Shangri-La on their five acre estate with fruit trees, vineyard, farm animals, swimming pool, bocce court and art studio. Here they entertained family and friends for 30 years. She spoke five languages and was a worldwide traveler, including returning to her birth country of Germany many times to visit her family and friends. In the 1960's, Helga and Gino moved with their children for two years to live on Lido Island in Venice, Italy, and on the Mediterranean coast in southern France. During her retirement she wrote a 100 page autobiography of her childhood and life experiences before, during and after World War II in Germany and the U.S. It includes her poetry and artwork. She leaves it as a legacy to her children and grandchildren. Above all, she loved her family and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. As the matriarch of the Lazzarotto and Friederich family, she will be missed by many relatives. A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, July 16. For details and to send condolences, please visit: www.legacy.com

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Published by The Sacramento Bee on Jun. 25, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Helga Lazzarotto

25 Entries

Eva Lazzarotto Whyte

July 16, 2016

In loving memory of my Aunt Helga who I will always remember fondly and especially with respect to the many vacations my sister, Terri and I would spend in Sacramento while growing up.

A few memories I will share:
The many swim lessons you enrolled the five girls in and then drove us to the pool, your fabulous crispy potato wedges and yummy lasagna, your countless visits to Heidi's room to get us to go to stop talking and go to sleep! Your diplomacy in squelching a disagreement with my Uncle Gino while we were having dinner, and the image of you and my mom gabbing about life and your children in a some secluded area at a family gathering. More recently, your kindness in sending Xmas cards that always had a pic of your grandchildren on them. You were so proud of them, and your children.

To my cousins, Roland, Heidi, Annette, and Carol: My deepest condolences. May you be at peace with the time you were able to spend with your mom, and of all those precious memories you were able to build. I know it always seems far too soon. If there is a heaven, your mom can now join your dad since it has been many years that she has lived without him. May she join all loved ones that have gone before her, who have been waiting on her. Life will never be the same without her, (and them) but remember the life you shared with your mom when you are feeling sad.

Aunt Helga, I thank you for your kindness, hospitality and the generosity you showed us while growing up, and later in life. You will be, forever in our hearts.

With much love, your niece,
Eva

July 15, 2016

When I was in California for my exchange the Stolz family and I visited Tante Helga a lot. I was so overwhelmed by her hospitality and it was such a pleasure listening to her stories. Sometimes she told them in German sometimes in English but it was always fascinating to hear her talking about her incredible life. I'll miss Helga and I'll miss listening to her, but there are so many wonderful memories of spending time at Newcastle and those will always last.
Julia Friederich, Heidelberg, Germany

Oma on her 82nd Birthday with her grandchildren, Newcastle, July 2005

July 5, 2016

Helga and Gino's 1950 Wedding with their German and Italian parents

Heidi Selway

July 3, 2016

michael violett

July 3, 2016

We enjoyed spending time with Helga while dining with our friends Bill & Annette. She enjoyed talking about her past and we enjoyed listening to all the stories. She was blessed to have had such a long life and a loving family. Our thoughts are with you all.

Mike & Vicky Violett

Tante Helga, Summer 2012

July 3, 2016

The first time we met Tante Helga was on our first trip to California in 1992. As Walter, my husband already knew Helga and Gino from their visits to Darmstadt, he told them that we were planning a trip around California and instantly they asked us to drop in at their Newcastle home. So we did, and instead of just saying hello, we were invited to stay for some days - and Helga and Gino were the best hosts and tour guides you could imagine. This was the first time we experienced the tremendous hospitality of Helga. More than 10 years later we came again to California now with our daughter Julia, 9 years at that time. Although we stayed in San Diego, we took our way up to Newcastle to visit Helga again. Helga arranged meetings with the whole family and Julia made friends with her grandchildren . In the following years we visited Helga several times and it was always a great time. We talked in English and German, about the past the family stories, that she clearly remembered. It was impressing how the characters of relatives of her generation became so vivid by listening to her. And we talked about the present the politics, the environment, the quality of universities and much more. Helga was well informed an interested in everything that was going on. And she always had the aura of a person who is grateful, content and happy with the journey of her life which was full of exciting impressions, but also many challenges . Most of all, we saw, that being the center of her big family, was the ultimate source of happiness to her. We will miss this wonderful person, but whenever we think of California, we will always think of Tante Helga.
Christiane & Walter Friederich, Heppenheim, Germany

Luke Selway

July 2, 2016

To the most loving and caring grandmother a grandson could ask for. Oma, I will miss you.
With love,
Luke

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

July 1, 2016

I remember Tante Helga first when she came to see her mother Else in Worms. They always came to see us in Biebesheim too. In 1966 my family and I went to see the Lazzarotto family living for a year in Venice (Italy). Many years later I lived with my husband Reimund in Berlin and we were very glad to welcome Tante Helga and zio Gino in our home during a school aniversary of hers. From this visit on we kept in contact and passed everytime they made a trip to Europe some some days together. Later they were accompanied by family members and we had always a lot of fun all together.
One of the most astonishing thing for me was, that Tante Helga was able to change language during a conversation in a second. When she was here in Italy, where we are living since 2007, she talked German with us, switched to English and when italian friends came, she talked also in perfect Italian.
I am glad to have had an aunt like her and with her as mediatress to have kept in contact with my relatives in California. Vielen Dank, Tante Helga!

Robert Selway

June 29, 2016

I consider myself lucky in many regards, but none so much than to have such an amazing grandmother. For all the amazing meals she and my Mom made together, for all the amazing summers I spent in Newcastle with here, to all the fun card games we had together, to all the unforgettable family memories we made together, I am lucky to be her grandson. I often think about her life and all the hardships she faced, my life has been relatively easy by comparison and I appreciate the sacrifices she made for my family still to this day. She was an amazing role model, wife, mother, grandmother, cook, nurse, and matriarch for our family. She will always be missed, but never forgotten. I love my Oma and always will.

Tina Miranda

June 27, 2016

Dear Carol and Family - I was so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I remember her happy face and how kind she was to me the times I visited your house in the south area (the old days from Burger King)! What an amazing life she had and how lucky you were to have her for so many years. May she rest in peace.

Oma, Andrea and Dan, September 2015

Dan & Andrea Selway

June 27, 2016

Andrea and I were very happy to have Oma at our wedding, and it was an honor to have her walk down the aisle to start the ceremony.
Here is a wedding photo of the three of us, September 2015.
Love, Your grandson,
Dan

Sent by the Walt Disney Company

Andrew Selway

June 26, 2016

Flowers were received with condolences from my employer, the Walt Disney Company.
For my Oma,
With Love from your grandson,
Andy

Rosita Lazzarotto

June 25, 2016

Dear aunt Helga: you had being a very special aunt for all of your mexicans nices and nephews.
All of us love you very much.
Gracias por toda tu amabilidad y cariño para nosotros.
Descansa en paz, lo mereces.
Te quiero.

Helga Friederich, 20 years old

Heidi Selway

June 25, 2016

Helga & Gino

Heidi Selway

June 25, 2016

Helga and Gino on their Wedding Day, Berkeley, California on June 25, 1950. (66 years ago today)

Carol and Annette with mom on Mother's Day

Annette Lazzarotto Palmer

June 25, 2016

Miguel Ramos

June 25, 2016

With love

Oma and Annette at a picnic

Annette Lazzarotto

June 25, 2016

Oma sitting under my wisteria

Annette Lazzarotto Palmer

June 25, 2016

Oma at Juliette's piano recital

Annette Lazzarotto Palmer

June 25, 2016

Mom and Heidi at Dan's wedding

Annette Lazzarotto Palmer

June 25, 2016

Heidi Selway

June 25, 2016

Mom, age 92, was with daughter Heidi, husband Rob, sons Robert, Andrew, Luke, and the bride and groom, Andrea & Dan, at her grandson's Wedding.
All of the Selways loved our dear Mom & Oma.
Forever in our hearts.
❤

Annette Lazzarotto Palmer

June 25, 2016

Mom, this was posted today, June 25th, in honor of your wedding day.

Helga & Gino, 1991

June 25, 2016

Heidi Selway

June 25, 2016

A Celebration of Life will be held for my mother at her Newcastle home.

Saturday, July 16, 2016
12noon-3:00pm

For details or directions,
Heidi: [email protected]
Annette: (916)202-0893

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