Obituary of Helen Brandolino

Helen M. Brandolino (nee Liberatore) Helen Mary Brandolino, nee Liberatore, age 83, passed away Friday, January 16, 2015, at Joliet Area Community Hospice with family by her side. Survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Sandro "Sandy" Brandolino; her children, David Brandolino, Toni Ann Brandolino, Marianne Brandolino, Diane Brandolino (Jeff Luchowski) and Jackie (John) Costenaro; grandchildren, Bobby (Karole) Brandolino, Jimmy (Lauren) McFarland, Katie (Keith) Anderson, Ellen (fiancé Tim Roesel) Fleming and Emily Fleming; great-grandchildren, Gianni and Eliana Brandolino, Quinn McFarland, Cole and Will Anderson and Noah Roesel; sister-in-law, Dennie Liberatore; a niece, Nan (Jack) Ranzini; and many friends. Preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Concetta (DiPietrantonio) Liberatore; and brother, John (Dennie) Liberatore. Helen attended St. Mary Carmelite Grade School and is a 1949 graduate of St. Francis Academy in Joliet. She was a member of the Young People's Club and Antonian's Club at St. Anthony's Parish, where she and her husband were married. Helen enjoyed keeping up with her classmates at reunions and monthly club meetings and has fond memories of writing for the school newspaper, where she was the fastest typist on the staff and received several awards for her work. Helen was also a member of the Glee Club and acted in school plays, including starring in "I Remember Mama!" Helen is an accomplished pianist. She began private studies at age seven at the Joliet Conservatory of Music, and continued her studies at Joliet Junior College where she and her husband were the first music major graduates. Helen went on to study classical piano at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. She taught private music lessons at the Joliet Conservatory of Music as well as in Mount Clemons, Michigan. Helen continued teaching music as well as managing the bookkeeping and accounting for her and husband's business, Brandolino West Side Music Center, which they owned for nearly 40 years. Helen loved to read, work crossword puzzles, cook and play the piano for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watch as they danced around her. The family would like to thank Sunny Hill Nursing Home and the staff at Joliet Area Community Hospice for their care and support. A special thank you to Margie Stanfel for her love and devotion. Funeral service for Helen Brandolino will be held Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Anthony's Church, Joliet. The family will hold a private visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations of time or treasure in Helen's name to Sunny Hill Nursing Home or Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated. Interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery