Helen Facinelli Wolff

1938 - 2025

Helen Marie Facinelli Wolff, 87, well known Casper educator, passed away December 5, 2025 at Wyoming Medical Center.

Helen was born March 18, 1938 at the Bishop Randall Hospital in Lander, Wyoming, to prominent Fremont County ranchers, Jim and Marie (Presgrove) Facinelli. She was reared on the family ranch six miles south of Lander, and graduated from Fremont County Vocational High School (FCVHS). In her early years of growing up in Lander, she was active in 4-H programs and was a Junior Leader. Her most treasured times were spent at the Wyoming State Training School in Lander, being a "parent" to some of the children and adults who lived there.

Helen graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. Degree in Agriculture in 1960 and later returned for post-graduate degrees.

In 1959, Helen was chosen as the Wyoming Danforth Girl Outstanding Student Scholarship recipient and traveled to the campus of Washington University and Camp Minawanka in Wisconsin for the summer.

Helen began her teaching career in Dubois, Wyoming, and taught there for three years. She was then offered the job of head of the Home Economics Department of Jackson Hole High School in Jackson, Wyoming. It was there that she would meet her future husband. On June 4, 1964, she was married to Charles E. "Chuck" Wolff in Lander, Wyoming at the First Methodist Church. The couple moved to Casper, Wyoming and made their home there. She was asked to design the first Home Economics Department in Jeffrey City, Wyoming, in the fall of 1964. She taught there for three years, maintaining homes in both Casper and Jeffrey City.

Helen was offered the job of Junior High Economics teacher at Casper's East Junior High School, where she would remain for twenty-eight years. Mr. Wolff passed away in 1994 after 30 years of marriage. Helen elected to take early retirement in 1995 after 35 years of teaching in the state. She often referred to East Junior High School as her second home.

Helen was a former high fashion runway model in Denver, New York, Paris, Rome and Milan. Her career began part-time as a model for the exclusive fashion boutique Montoldos in Denver, Colorado. In her early years of teaching she was well known for her elegant fashion shows and tv appearances with her student.

At the age of twelve, she was given the Shoshoni Indian name "Red Rose" by a childhood friend, Sheila Washakie, a name of which she was most proud, and the name would follow her for the rest of her life. Helen was a past board member of Multiple Sclerosis of Wyoming and Chairman of Expressions Art Auction of M.S. She has been a partner in Facinelli/Wolff Quarter Horses, NCEA, NEA, Engineers' Wives, and Zonta International.

She was a member of the Casper Kiwanis, honorary board member of Metro Animal Shelter, and was one of the group who was instrumental in starting the spay and neuter program. She was a past member of Leisure Services Board, a member of ADK-Beta Chapter, former member of Friendship Bureau Tourist and Travel for Casper, member of Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Church Deacon, was a former Sunday School teacher, and a member of Geo-Wives', Ladies of the Petroleum Club, and Ladies of the Shrine.

Helen traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, spending much of her time visiting relatives in Italy, the country of her grandparents. She always took the Bucking Horse Wyoming pins to give out to promote the state of which she was most proud.

She enjoyed her home and yard filled with fountains, ponds and red roses. She was an accomplished seamstress and designer.

Helen often said, "If I can leave this life knowing that I did some good by helping others, then I have lived a good life." She made friends easily throughout her life and was a "people person".

Helen requested that no services be held, but to celebrate her life, you can help an elderly or disabled person, reach to a child, visit an animal shelter and take a treat for the animals and a snack for the staff, take a friend to lunch, or have a party and laugh much.

Ms. Wolff is survived by a brother, Hum Facinelli; niece, Beth Facinelli; Gemma, Nikos and Bianca, all of Cody, Wyoming; nephew Jim (Carla) and sons of Kansas City, her beloved dog, "Woofy" and her wonderful students of 35 years of teaching, whom she always referred to as "her kids".

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Marie Foccinelli; her beloved husband Chuck; her dogs, Scruffy, Duffy, and Gruffy; cat Mingie; and childhood horse, Nellie.

A private burial will take place at Highland Cemetery next to her husband. Bustard's Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.