Helmi (Viira) D'Aurizio, 86, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away on Monday December 6, 2010 at Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, NY. Born in Mustvee, Estonia she was the daughter of the late Mikhail and Rosalie (Blumberg) Viira.

Helmi emigrated from Salzburg, Austria to Canada as a displaced person after World War II. She met her late husband Amedeo "Dugan" D'Aurizio at Wasaga Beach in Canada and following their marriage in 1951, she emigrated to the United States and settled in Niagara Falls, NY where she lived until the present time. For more than thirty years she and Dugan owned and operated The Kitchen Restaurant on 18th Street and Linwood Avenue in Niagara Falls.

Helmi is survived by her son Louis (Mary Ellen) D'Aurizio of Niagara Falls, NY; her daughters Constance D'Aurizio of New York City, NY and Nancy (Richard) Maltz of Briarcliff Manor, NY; four grandchildrenTheresa (Josh) Prezioso, Philip D'Aurizio, Adam and Matthew Maltz; two great grandchildren Nicholas and Emilia Prezioso as well as her sister Hilda Vahtra of Mustvee, Estonia and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters Elli Abakukk, Alice Ka"gu and Liili Vilniskaitis.

Helmi was a longtime active member of Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph parish (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church) as well as their Altar and Rosary Society, Legion of Mary and Seniors and Socialites . Until just last year, she participated in volunteer services at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence in Lewiston, NY. She also previously served on the Bereavement Team at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. In 2001 after discovering her sister Hilda was alive, Helmi traveled to Estonia where they were reunited after 58 years. She was able to travel there a second time in 2005. Helmi was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt, much loved by her family and will be remembered as a tireless worker as well as a loyal, trusted and loving friend.

Friends may call on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the M.J.COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will be held on Friday December 10th at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 27th Street and Indpendence Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Duane Klizek officiating. Entombment in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. Memorial donations may be made to Susan G. Komen For the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, PO Box 5172, Buffalo NY 14240, Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport NY 14094 or to a charity of one's choice.