Helen G. Vitale, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 94, on Friday morning, April 29, 2016, at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Center in Charlottesville, VA. Helen was born in Marion, Virginia, to Hershal and Emma Grubb in 1921, the eldest of two daughters. She grew up on a small farm during the years of the Great Depression, where they grew most all their own food and always had plenty to share. She attended Radford Teachers College and decided to take the bold step to the "big city" of Hampton, VA, to pursue her future as an educator, boarding with a local couple in Buckroe Beach. It was not long after this that the 23-year-old Helen met and fell in love with a New York GI, Joe Vitale, who was stationed at Fort Monroe. They were married after a whirlwind romance typical of the World War II era, in September, 1944. Together they raised four daughters, living in New York, Marion, and eventually settling back where it all began in Hampton. They celebrated 50 years together in 1994 before Joe's death in December.

Helen was a devoted teacher at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic School for 6 years before becoming the dearly loved secretary at St. Joseph Catholic Church for nearly 20 years. She remained a loyal, active and devoted member of the church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Ladies of St. Joseph and Mother Seton Guild, and volunteer at the Thrift Shop, Retreat House, and financial team. One of her proudest accomplishments was receiving the honor of Redemptorist Oblate, which is bestowed by the Redemptorist order of priests to lay people who have exhibited an extraordinary faithfulness, diligence and generosity in supporting the mission of the parish.

She was a woman of limitless love and care-giving. Her thoughtful generosity of heart and spirit was a gift to many--family, friends and neighbors through all her years. She devoted herself to others, caring for her own mother and husband through illness and aging. She always made sure she had her children's and grandchildren's favorite things on hand when they visited, and sent gifts for special occasions. She was a blessing to so many people and impacted many lives in a positive way. All who knew her felt her generous and outgoing spirit. She loved the earth and the beauty of a garden and grew wonderful tomatoes, roses and other flowers as long as she could. She also had her own little slice of "bird heaven" with feeders and bird houses right outside her patio door.

She is survived by her 4 loving daughters: Jeannie Blethen (Chuck), Gloria Vitale, Angela Vitale, Maria Page (Mike); 8 grandchildren: Francesca LoMonaco (Laura Kollar), Lucian LoMonaco (Heather), Jacob Blair, Kevin Watterton (Amy), Anthony LoMonaco, Rachael Mendivil (Renato), Travis Cherry (Laura), and Katie Cherry; 8 great-grandchildren and number 9 on the way. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Mary Cullop and her husband, Charles, several nieces, a nephew, and their families.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 6, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with interment to follow in Hampton Veterans Memorial Gardens. A wake service will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home with the family receiving friends afterwards until 8:30 PM.
The family extends gratitude to the kind caregivers at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Center and Hospice of the Piedmont.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 512 Buckroe Ave., Hampton, VA, 23664, or to a favorite charity.