Obituary of Helen Jean Tuccillo

Helen Jean Tuccillo of Denville, New Jersey passed away with her family at her side on July 13, 2007. Helen was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 9, 1941 to Finn and Guerean Torjussen. She remained a resident of the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn until 1970, when she moved with her family to Cedar Lake in Denville. She devoted her energy and love to raising her children and was the proud matriarch of an extended family of 9 children. Although a city girl at heart, Helen embraced the scenic and natural beauty of her new home and quickly became an avid gardener and birdwatcher. She loved folk music, rock n' roll and dancing. Her single greatest love was spending time with her children and grandchildren and encouraging them in all of their diverse pursuits. Helen took great pride in sculpting her garden, caring for her birds, and adorning her home with pictures of those she loved. Helen will be remembered for her strength, determination and perseverance. In the face of a difficult and debilitating illness, she did not falter. Instead, Helen provided immense inspiration and comfort to all that knew and loved her. Her approach to life and its challenges taught her family and friends the meaning of love and determination. She instilled in her family a sense of adventure, curiosity and mischief. She inspired her children and grandchildren to expand their boundaries and pursue the path less traveled. Frank Tuccillo (husband), Finn and Guerean Torjussen (parents), Gladys Torjussen (aunt), Ben and Olga Marconi (father and mother-in-law), and Kathy Cooley (sister) all predeceased Helen. Helen is survived by her nine children and their families: son Robert Marconi and his wife Julia and their children Daniel and Tessa (Seattle, WA); son Richard Marconi and his wife Cherie and their children Ryan, Chauna and Devin (Midlothian, VA); son John Marconi and his wife Allison and their son Nicholas (Denville, NJ); daughter Dena Baldwin and her husband Scott and their children Kenny, Audrey and Griffin (Hewitt, NJ);daughter Parvati (Barre, MA); son Frank Tuccillo and his wife Anna (Albuquerque, NM) and their children Nicole (husband Jeff), Frank Jr. (wife Lauren), Julie (soon to be wed to Todd) and Andrew; son William Tuccillo and his wife Lorraine (Brooklyn, NY) and their children Christopher (wife Andrea), Corinne (husband Michael and son Michael Jr.) and Beth; daughter Christina Tuccillo and her husband Declan and their son Brendan (San Francisco, CA); and daughter Liz Tuccillo (New York, NY.) Helen is also survived by her first husband Robert Marconi (Denville, NJ), father of Robert, Richard, John and Dena, Karl Torjussen (Middletown, NJ) who was like a brother to Helen. A celebration in honor of Helen's life will be held Saturday July 21st at Norman Dean Funeral Home in Denville, NJ. Family and friends will gather from 1:00 to 4:00 PM with services beginning at 3:00. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org. All those she knew are encouraged to post remembrances by lighting a candle at http://www.normandean.com/.