Helen was born the seventh and last child of Italian immigrants, Alex & Maria Salatino in Tacoma on June 28, 1923. She was raised on Hilltop Italian neighborhood and attended Stadium High School.
As a young adult she loved to dance and would attend the USO dances where she met and married Gennaro (John) Romano, a soldier from Brooklyn, NY in 1943. They loved to dance and were great dancing partners.
Helen worked as a grocery checker for 25 years at Safeway. She loved her job because of the socialization with her customers. And they loved her smile and kind words.
During these years, Helen loved to play bingo and 5 of her lady friends would get together weekly and play. She loved these outings, these ladies had a great time together. John and Helen would also often take trips to their favorite city, Reno, and play slots and bingo.
After John passed in 2000, Helen moved into the Tahoma Terrace, where she enjoyed the comfort and socialization of the people she met there. Then her last 5 years at Mama’s Delight Adult Family Home, whose owners, Zelfa & Don and staff gave her loving care, especially her favorite, Albert.
She leaves behind her daughters and their spouses, Terry Fabre (Gerry) and Jeanne Campanoli (Denny), five grandchildren, Ronelle, Tracie, Angelina, Cheri and Anthony and eleven great grandchildren.
She will be truly missed by all!
Funeral Mass to be held Saturday, 1/6/2018 10:30 am at St. Rita Catholic Church, 1403 S. Ainsworth Ave, Tacoma, WA with Visitation at 9:30am.
Arrangements by Piper Morley Mellinger Funeral Home 253-472-3353.
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