Helen S. (Olszowy) Petrone

93, of Coventry, RI, formerly fifty-year resident of Johnston died at home on Sunday, August 13, 2017.  She was the beloved wife of the late Benjamin Victor Petrone. Devoted daughter of the late Ignatius Edward Olszowy and Felicia Mary (Slonina) Olszowy.

A valedictorian graduate of Saint Mary’s Academy Bay View, Helen retained straight A averages throughout high school, was elected Class President for three years, and was an actress, starring in lead roles in her high school musicals. She was the conductor of the Bay View Academy Orchestra and played drums in the marching band.  Years later, Helen was thrilled to attend the Community College of Rhode Island where she received straight A grades.

Prior to her marriage, she was a secretary at the Providence Shipyard where she met and fell in love with her husband, Ben. In the 1950s, Helen worked as a volunteer Nurse’s Aide at Chapin Hospital in Providence during the polio epidemic, so she could assist her son Timmy who was afflicted with paralysis from polio.  She was her son’s relentless advocate, raising issues and fighting for accessibility, and finding schools that would accept him as a student in a wheelchair.

While raising her 10 children, she worked as Crossing Guard at Saint Rocco’s School.  Later, she worked for 22 years as Secretary for Johnston Police Chief William Tocco.  She was appointed as a JPD Special Officer and earned an Expert ranking at the shooting qualification.

Mrs. Petrone also served as President of the Saint Rocco’s Women’s Guild, President of the Orchard Lake Ladies Auxiliary-RI Chapter XXII, Board Officer of the Johnston Senior Center, and Choir Member for Holy Cross Church 12 years and for Saint Rocco’s Church for the next 44 years.

Helen was also an accomplished calligrapher and enjoyed personalizing wedding, birthday and anniversary cards and gifts for her family.  She enjoyed swimming and vacationing at Cold Spring Resort, in New Hampshire.  She traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, England, Spain, and to Poland with her sisters Alice and Josephine, her daughter Kathy, and niece Barbara, to visit her mother’s brother, still living on the family farm in Rzeszow.  She delighted in realizing her dreams of riding in a two-seater open airplane as a teenager, riding in a hot-air balloon, and going horseback riding.

She was the precious mother of ten children: Benjamin V. Petrone (Michele) of Clio, SC; Kathryn O’Hare (John) of West Warwick; Felicia Petrone of Rumford; Julie E. Pettis (John Leone) of Matunuck; David E. Petrone (Lori) of Cranston; Elizabeth A. Charlebois (Peter) of Coventry; Mary Jane Morris (Amos) of Clovis, CA; Christine H. Speciale (Gary) of West Greenwich; and Michaela J. Ballirano, Special Officer JPD of Coventry; and the late Timothy Petrone. She was a beloved sister of Josephine Dziedzic of Bristol-Barrington, and the late Frances Olszowy, Emil Slonina, Mary Krzyzek, and Alexandra (Alice) Felag.

Helen was a beloved Babci who continued to teach her family and even the youngest of grandchildren Polish words, phrases, poems and songs.  She will greatly be missed by her 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews, great nephews, and great nieces.

Helen was an example of quiet power and unbreakable strength. She was a delight and joy to all who knew her, a loving and much loved wife, a kind and loving mother, a gentle spirit filled with faith, hope and joy.  As the meaning of her name, she will forever be the smiling, bright star who immeasurably brightened this world.

Visiting hours Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Nardolillo Funeral Home, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston, Funeral from Nardolillo Saturday at 8:45 a.m.  Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Saint John & Paul’s Church, 341 S Main Street, Coventry, RI 02816.  Burial at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, 1 Rhode Island Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919.