Malverne woman remembered for helping others

Helen Putelo

7/27/1939 – 3/29/2023

Helen Putelo of Malverne passed away on March 29 at the age of 83 surrounded by her loving children. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Michael, in 2014.

Helen is survived by her five children and their spouses: Michael and Laura Putelo; Ronald and Diane Putelo; David Putelo and Sue Padjen; Carole and William Buyers; and Alex and Carrie Putelo. In addition, Helen Putelo is survived by 13 grandchildren: Julia, Victoria, Anna, Michael, Renee, Rachael, Audrey, Grace, Diana, Luke, Lizzie, George, and Lila.

Helen Putelo was born in Manhattan to Mary and Paul Bugel and raised on the Lower East Side with her sisters Paula and Anne and her late brother, Steven. Helen married Michael in 1959. They lived in Stuyvesant Town during the early years of their marriage and later settled in Malverne to raise their family. Helen was primarily a homemaker, but worked for the accounting department of Nationwide Cellular (WorldCom) to help put her children through college.

A loving wife, mother, friend, and sponsor, Helen was adored by everyone who crossed her path. With her beautiful smile, sparkly green eyes, and witty sense of humor, Helen woke every day loving life and embracing it to its fullest, and she wanted those in her path to feel the same way.

The simplest activities gave her the most joy — enjoying an amazing cup of coffee, conversing daily with her children, playing cards, singing along to a Carole King album, dancing in the kitchen with her husband and going to garage sales (“garaging”) with her best friends Tina, Judy, and Grace.

Helen took this same light approach in sponsoring dozens of strangers seeking sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous and these very strangers became longtime friends of hers throughout the years. She was an empathetic gem and will be missed by many. May we all remember Helen’s simplest and sincerest gestures when we think of her, today and forever.

Donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association by visiting Alz.org. A celebration of life for Helen will be held on June 3.