Helen Stanislaw Cicirello

Longtime Chesterland resident, Helen Stanislaw Cicirello, passed away on July 20, 2025, at the age of 101. Perhaps she died of a broken heart as her beloved husband, Salvatore, died just two months earlier. She leaves behind four daughters: Nancy, Barbara (Richard) Korn, Joanne (William) Kochuk and Helen (Martin Korkowski), along with New Zealand foreign exchange daughter, Alexandra (Lockwood) Smith to cherish her memory – that of a strong, independent, tenacious, adventurous and generous role model.

Born on November 12, 1923, to Slovak immigrants, Helen, along with her seven siblings, grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania where she helped with farming chores and attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. Following high school, she moved to Cleveland where she worked at a battery factory to support the World War II effort. A nursing scholarship funded by Frances Payne Bolton led to an RN degree and a service commitment fulfilled through the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota. This forever changed her life’s trajectory, both personally and professionally.

In 1948, Helen’s best friend at nursing school introduced her to Sal Cicirello. On their first date, Helen beat Sal at bowling; on their second date, her dancing skills couldn’t compete with his. Six months later, they were married. Opting to honor her rural roots over city lights, the young couple purchased five acres of land in Chesterland in 1949. They built their house in stages, as money would allow, living initially in the finished basement. Sal and Helen remained in this house until their deaths throughout the entirety of their nearly 77-year marriage on Caves Road.

Even while managing a large and busy household, Helen continued her nursing career, working part-time for Drs. Cory and Hayashi, and later at Geauga Community Hospital. Her nursing skills were also put to good use volunteering at the Geauga County Fair nursing station and at Campfire Girl and West Geauga High School band camps. Later, she pivoted careers to support her husband in his construction business, as the “Girl Friday,” helping wherever she could.

In retirement, she relaxed and enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren, Nicholas (Janice) Korn, Evan and Jeffrey Kochuk, Madeline and Benjamin Korkowski, and three great-grandchildren, Riley, Matthew, and Jordan Korn. Helen is also survived by sisters, Vernie West and Jean Corrin, along with numerous extended family members.

Burial at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens will be private. The funeral service will be held at 1:30 on August 30th at St. Christopher-by-the-River in Gates Mills, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages any memorial offerings to be sent to St. Christopher-by-the-River, 7601 Old Mill Rd. Gates Mills, Ohio or the Holden Arboretum, 9550 Sperry Rd. Kirtland, Ohio 44094-5149.