Obituary of Helen L. Monaco

Helen Monaco, 45, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Her family was by her side when she passed. A heart-transplant recipient, Helen is eternally grateful for the gift she received in 2002. Her family will forever cherish the 13 wonderful years they had with Helen that would not have been possible but for the thoughtfulness and supreme generosity of her donor's family. Helen was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up on Blauvelt, NY where she attended Tappan Zee High School. She attended Binghamton University ('91) and Albany Law School ('94) where she was a proud member of the Law Review. Upon graduation Helen clerked for a federal magistrate and practiced law for several years. As a mother, Helen was completely devoted to her children. Helen was a staunch advocate for adopted children and children with special needs. She was also a doting parent to the dogs she and Tim adopted over the years; Bitsa, Basil and Penne. Helen will always be remembered for her intellect, her wit and her passion for the things she believed in. The love and care she gave to her family will live on even in her absence. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed knitting, soap making and beer making. She was also a creative and self-taught cook known to whip up amazing apple pies with ease. Helen was preceded in death by her father, Guy Monaco and her niece Jessica Simonds. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Tim Simonds, and her two children, Gia, 14, and Alexander, 12; her mother Euna Monaco; her sister and brother-in-law Linda and John Dixon; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Herb and Lin Simonds; brother-in-law Jammie (Michelle) Simonds; her sister-in-law, Misty Montgomery; her sister-in-law Kristie (Mike) Gaydos; her nephew Michael Simonds, nieces Danielle Wilke, Sarah Montgomery, Marley Dixon and Ruby Gaydos and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Highland Avenue, Binghamton Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in Vestal Hills Memorial Park at the convenience of the family. The family receive friends at the J.A.McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton Monday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Helen and Tim encourage everyone to register to be an organ and tissue donor. In lieu of flowers, a fund is being established for Gia's and Alex's education. Donations may be made to the Helen Monaco Memorial Fund, care of 5/3rd Bank, 656 West Market Street, Akron, OH, 44303