Helen Cecelia Oggiani, 97 of Housatonic died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, at Fairview Commons Nursing Center, where she had resided for six months, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 11, 1921, in Housatonic and was the daughter of Joseph and Marianna Bubrzyski Gromelski. Helen attended local schools and was a 1939 graduate of the former Williams High School. Helen worked at the former Monument Mills in Housatonic as a payroll clerk; in the office at the former Home Gas Company for 15 years, and as a teller at the former Great Barrington Savings Bank. She was a communicant of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish at Corpus Christi Church. Helen had been a lifelong member of the former All Saints Church, where she was one of its first Eucharistic ministers, a member of its Rosary Sodality, a member of the church choir and parish council, and a lector. Helen also served on its 75th anniversary committee and finance committee. She actively participated in the annual All Saints’ Polish picnics, at which, even into her 80s, she could dance five polkas in a row. She also sold Avon for over 40 years. Helen’s husband, Peter R. Oggiani, who she married June 26, 1948, in All Saints Church, predeceased her July 2, 1954.
She is survived by her son Louis J. Oggiani and his wife Joan, of West Stockbridge; twin grandsons Peter J. and Michael L. Oggiani; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, Helen was predeceased by one brother: Joseph Gromelski; and three sisters: Frances Sarmuk (Bill), Sally Deutsch (Joe), and Eleanor Kay (Stanley).
Funeral services for Helen Cecelia Oggiani will be held Friday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish at Corpus Christi Church with the Reverend William P. Murphy, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Bridget’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends at a calling hour preceding the funeral from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Helen’s memory be made to the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Building Fund or the Williams High School Scholarship Fund, both in care of the funeral home at 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA. 01230. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
