Helen A. La Morticella was called by God to return to him for everlasting life on March 29, 2011. She was the daughter of Vincenzo and Carmella La Morticella, born on December 20, 1918, and a first-generation American.

She attended Catholic primary school and Niagara Falls High School. She was called to the service of both family and country in 1941 when the United States entered World War 2, and began working at Nabisco Shredded Wheat to replace the men called to war and to sustain her loved ones financially. She continued working there until retiring in 1981.

In 1946, she began to care for her sister's two boys due to her untimely passing. She nurtured Paul and Michael Balassone into accomplished and respectable men. Again in 1972, she assumed responsibility for another sister's child, Ann Colletti, due to her mother's illness and passing. And finally, in 1992, she assumed responsibility to mother Patrick J. McKeown. She provided more than life's necessities for him, and filled the roles of grandmother, mother, sister, and best friend all in one.

She was active in St. Joseph's Choir from the 1930's through the 1960's and a dedicated member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church. Helen embodied Godly qualities such as love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and piety. She loved others for the quality and content of their characters and passed these values unto her four adopted children. Her hobbies were diversified over the years. She traveled western Europe several times in addition to many U.S. locales. Casino trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas were enjoyed and her specialty was cooking and baking. She may best be remembered for her loving, kind and gentle nature.

She was predeceased by parents Vincenzo and Carmella, siblings Dominic La Morticella, Rose Mitro, Mary Balassone and Anna Colletti. Also predeceased to her were her adopted children Paul Balassone, Michael Balassone and Ann Colletti, and additionally many extended relatives and friends.

She is survived by Patrick J. McKeown, Patrick M. McKeown, Almas Begum, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wozniak, Mr. and Mrs. John Balassone and children, best friend Josephine Catanese, the Mitro family, the Balassone family, and many nephews, nieces and friends.

There will be no prior visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday April 9th at 10 a.m. in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 27th Street and Indpendence Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY. Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.