Helen T. Carullo

The lifelong Islander was born Helen Norman into a Tottenville family of 12 children and graduated from the former St. Louis Academy in Pleasant Plains.

After she and Dominic Carullo wed, the couple moved to St. George and lived there for nearly 30 years. They settled in Westerleigh in 1980.

Mrs. Carullo worked as a cook for Eger Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Egbertville, for more than 20 years. She also worked as a cook in the schools and rectories of Our Lady of Good Counsel School, the former St. Peter’s Girls’ High School and Monsignor Farrell High School.

When she wasn’t cooking at work, Mrs. Carullo, affectionately known as “Bam,’’ was cooking for her family. Her happiest times were hosting holiday meals, they said.

“Thanksgiving was her specialty,’’ said Scott O’Brien, her grandson. “Everyone agreed that Bam’s cooking was the best, and if there were any leftovers, everyone wanted to take them home.’’

Mrs. Carullo adored her great-grandchildren. She sang to them, told them stories of her Staten Island childhood, advised them, doted on them, and set a great example for them.

“Helen faced life with a remarkable, and admirable, strength of character,’’ her grandson said.

Mrs. Carullo was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

She was a parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh.

Dominic, her husband of 47 years, died in 1989. Her son, Casey, died about 40 years ago.

Surviving, along with her grandson, are her daughters, Gail O’Brien, Sister Carol Carullo and Nancy Gardella; her son, Donald; eight grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 10:30 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Arrangements include cremation.

Arrangements under the direction of Casey Funeral Home, Staten Island, NY.