Helen L. Alaimo

Helen L. Alaimo, 85, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away, December 13, 2011 at Rivershores Nursing Home in Marseilles. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, 2011 at St. Columba Church with Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Visitation will be 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2011 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 3:00. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery. Helen was born May 6, 1926, in Virginia, Illinois to Ralph and Ruby Mae (Shirrell) Harris. She married Russell C. Alaimo January 25, 1949 at St. Columba Church in Ottawa. He died November 10, 1997. Helen was a devoted wife and mother. Helen took great pride in her entire family and the home she helped to design. She worked outside of the home as a waitress which is how she met her husband of 48 years. During her life she enjoyed dancing, fishing, playing cards, country and blue grass music, bird watching, painting, needlework, and puzzles. She was a lifelong member of the Women's Auxiliary of the VFW. She was like a mother to most everyone she met; she never hesitated in showing her concern for people during the stressful times of their lives, because, as she often said - "I like PEOPLE." She is survived by three sons, Robert (Julie) of Seneca, IL, Russell Jr. of Denver, CO, and Tommie of Pittsview, AL; five grandchildren, Tommie T. (Jeannie) Alaimo, Jr., Kyla (Jimmy) Harris, Anthony (Hope) Alaimo, and Robert and Emily Alaimo; eight great grandchildren, Mia, Zoe, Ashley, Jennifer, Gayla, Austin, William, and Julia; four great-great grandchildren, Dakota, Zeidrick, Emily, and Chloe; one brother, James Harris of Princeton; and one sister, Frances June Klatchko of Streator. Helen is preceded in death by her husband; three brothers, Richard, Ralph "Ben", and Charles Harris; four sisters, Betty Schmitz, Mary Jessen, Barbara Highland, and Bonnie Mae Feeney; and daughter-in-law, Norie. Pallbearers will be Anthony, Tommie T., and Robert A. Alaimo, Jose Castillo, Robert Anseleme, and Jimmy Harris. Memorials may be directed to the PADS Shelter or the Ottawa Food Pantry.