Helen Parker

When you think of love, light, and strength, you can’t help but think of Helen Parker. She was the matriarch of her family, a consummate caretaker, and a cherished friend to all. She was an amazing cook; her specialties were spaghetti, potato salad, and cakes with homemade frosting. She loved to shop in stores, QVC, and more recently Amazon; if you asked her what she wanted to listen to, she’d pick Elvis! To quote one of his songs she was “someone you’ll never forget” and if you were near to her, she would let you know how much you were loved.

Helen Parker (née Camardo) passed from this Earth peacefully on Sunday, July 9^th.  Born and raised in Riverside, she enjoyed a childhood of Fox Theater days, shopping uptown, and enjoying a Boost with a pretzel on the straw! She was a longtime member of St. Casimir’s Church and a 1962 graduate of Holy Cross High School. For over 25 years, she worked at Computer Sciences Corporation and later at Our Lady of Lourdes and Virtua as a Registrar.

She went by many names like Sis, Aunt Elna, and Hermione, but her most loved was Mom. Helen’s son was the center of her world; anything Jimmy needed, “Mumsy” could deliver. They shared an incredible bond and everyone knew who came first to Helen, even “her Ronnie” who met them both on their first date at a friend’s pool party in Riverside. Together, they would share the next 40 years of beautiful memories.

You could say Helen was born to be a mom but once grandchildren came into the picture, you knew her best role was that of Mommom! Brittany and Kevin hung the moon for her and she did the same right back. She lived to spoil them with toys, clothes, and kisses. Mommom was always a safe place to land, a constant, and the rock of our family. She was an angel here on Earth and now she is our angel above.

Helen is survived by her son Jimmy (Katrina), her grandchildren Brittany and Kevin, brothers Frank (Joyce) and Dennis (Gerry), sister Debbie (Barry), and sister-in-law Maryann. She is also survived by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and Gracie, Nolan, and Yunus with whom she shared special bonds. She is predeceased by her loving husband Ronald, her brother Michael, and her parents Emily and Frank.

Join us to celebrate her beautiful 78 years on Saturday, July 15^th from 10am-noon at Sweeney’s in Riverside with service to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Helen’s favorite charity, St. Jude. stjude.org