Helen Gagliardi Harper (Romanowski)

Helen (Romanowski) Gagliardi Harper, 101, of East Hartford, peacefully departed this life on Monday (December 6, 2010) at Salmon Brook Health Care Center in Glastonbury. Helen was the beloved wife of the late Arthur Harper and the late Leon Gagliardi. Born in Riverhead, Long Island, NY on July 2, 1909, a daughter of the late Paul and Pelagia (Jasuowski) Romanowski, she was a resident of East Hartford for most of her life. Prior to her retirement, Helen was employed for many years by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford and was a former member of the North-end East Hartford Senior Citizens. Helen loved crocheting, knitting, needle-point, and gardening but will be best remembered for her fantastic cooking of various Polish foods. Besides her parents and two husbands, Helen was predeceased by a daughter and her husband, Nancy and Richard Cheverier of Norwich; and another son-in-law, Paul Peruccio of East Hartford. Helen is survived by her devoted son, Mark S. Gagliardi and his wife, Brenda, of East Hartford; her loving daughter, Rosalie G. Peruccio of East Hartford; six special grandchildren, Lisa Peruccio of Vernon, James Peruccio and his wife, Cathy, of Glastonbury, Gina Law and her husband, Darryl, of Dallas, TX, Ward Just of West Hartford, Jeffrey Just of Stafford Springs, Timothy Just of East Hartford; six adored great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Aubrey, Gabrielle, and Paul Peruccio, Abby Just, and Tracy Just; one great, great-grandson, Max; many nieces and nephews. Helen was also a wonderful step mother to Salvatore and Joseph Gagliardi and their families. Funeral services will be Friday (December 10th) at 10 a.m. from the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, Cambridge Drive, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Friday morning from 9-10 am. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.