Helen M. Calabrese

Helen M. Calabrese 1922-2011 CHICOPEE- Helen Mary (Peskovitz) Calabrese of Chicopee, MA passed away Monday, October 24, 2011. She was born to Anthony and Mary Peskovitz on November 15, 1922. Helen is survived by her husband of 67 years, Rocco J. Calabrese, Sr., and two devoted children, Robert P. Calabrese and his wife Kathy of Georgia and Rocco J. Calabrese, Jr. and his wife Karen of Maryland; four cherished grandchildren, David, James, Jared and Clark Calabrese; and three great grandchildren, Zachary, Mia and Egan Calabrese. She is also survived by her sister, Mildred Rhodes, and her nephews, Gary Rhodes, John Peskovitz, Jr., and Edward Peskovitz. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Anthony and John Peskovitz of Holyoke and South Hadley, MA respectively. Helen volunteered and served in the U.S. Navy WAVES as a Seaman 1st Class at the U.S. Navy Technical Training Center in Memphis, TN. She loved swimming and diving. Helen had a beautiful voice and sang all her life. She sang as a special Naval representative at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City during WW II. Helen balanced a life devoted to her family with a career working for the Springfield Armory, Bell Telephone, Spaulding and spent over two decades managing all shipment and delivery for Rich's Litho Inc. She enjoyed travel, especially long drives throughout New England with her devoted husband Rocky. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 28th beginning at 11 a.m. from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 12 p.m. in St. Anne Church, 30 College St., both in Chicopee. Rites of Committal with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 1390 Main St., Agawam. Visitation will precede the services on Friday from 9:30-11 a.m. at the funeral home. For directions or to leave expressions of sympathy, photos or memories, visit Helen's personal webpage at tylunasfuneralhome.com. Tylunas Funeral Home (413)592-0148