Helen Figgiani

Born Helen Tumminello in Manhattan, she was brought to Great Kills as a child.

A homemaker, Mrs. Figgiani worked for 18 years as a sales clerk at former children’s clothing store, “Kute and Pretty,” in the Staten Island Mall in New Springville.

Prior to that, she worked for several years as a sales clerk at the Colony Shop in Port Richmond. Additionally, as a young girl she worked in the family-owned and operated grocery store, Tumminellos in Great Kills.

Mrs. Figgiani graduated from Washington Irving High School in Manhattan.

She was an active member of the Transplant Support Organization of Staten Island. In 1996, she received a liver transplant and subsequently spent her later years along with her husband raising money and awareness to promote organ donations.

She was a parishioner of St. Clare’s R.C. Church, Great Kills.

Mrs. Figgiani was an avid reader and she enjoyed spending time with family especially her grandchildren.

Surviving are a husband of 52 years, Paul; the couple would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary next week.

“Our mother’s smile and personality touched the lives of everyone she met. She will be forever in our hearts,” said her daughter, Teresa Poidomani.

Along with her daughter, Teresa, also surviving are three sons, Paul Jr., Michael and Joseph; a second daughter, Helenann Scherel; two brothers, Jimmy and John Tumminello; three sisters, Rose D’Amico, Vie Mastroberti, and Loretta Holck; four grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Casey-McCallum-Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare’s Church. Burial will be in Ocean View Cemetery, Oakwood.