Obituary of Elena Cece

Cece, Elena "Helen" (nee Coppa) age 93 of Wayne, has passed peacefully surrounded by her family on August 6, 2015. Helen is predeceased by the love of her life, Rocco Cece, loving mother of Lorraine Cece of Totowa and companion, Sam Ziudema, Karen Cece Liguori & her husband, Pat of Wayne and adoring grandmother of Eric Madsen & his wife, Kristy, Patrick Liguori & his wife, Ashley, and Dana Lowe & her husband, Rob. Helen's pride and joy were her great-grandchildren Gianna Liguori and Rocco Madsen. She was the dear daughter of the late Dominico and Maria Coppa, beloved sister in law of Josephine Hempstead and Emma Cece. Helen is predeceased by six sisters, Lena Trifari, Sadie Rocco, Susie Passafaro, Jean Conte, Nancy Curcio, Josephine Pulgino, and two brothers, Frank and Dominic and she is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Helen was born in Paterson where she resided for 85 years until she relocated to Sisco Village, Wayne. She worked at Goldberg's Coat Factory and American Polymers for many years before retiring from St. Joseph's Medical Center, where she later worked as a volunteer. Helen was a long time parishioner of Our Lady of Pompeii R.C. Church and a member of their former senior club, a member of the Riverside Vets Ladies Auxiliary Club in Paterson and Deborah Heart and Lung Foundation. Helen enjoyed cooking Sunday dinners for her family and baking, especially her family favorite "Jeanette" cookies. Helen's greatest treasure was her family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Monday at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at Our Lady of Pompeii R.C. Church, Paterson at 10:00 AM. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Friends may visit Sunday 4-8 PM. Donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. For more information, go to www.festamemorial.com.