Helen Julia (DiLucca) Miller, of Wooster, passed away on April 27, 2023 at the age of 98.  She passed peacefully into the arms of our Heavenly Father with her granddaughter, Mandy, by her side.

Helen was born on October 20, 1924 in Wooster, Ohio to the late Anthony (“Tony”) and Mary (Massaro) DiLucca, where she lived her entire life.  As a child, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School.  Helen was a 1942 graduate of Wooster High School.

Helen was a life-long active member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  She loved to pray the rosary many times a day.  Her faith was an integral part of her life.

Helen was a life-long active member of The Lamplighters (Italian Social and Civic Club) and served faithfully many years with “The Lamplighters Ladies Auxillary.”

During the war years, Helen served by working at The Gerstenslager Company.  She married Ray W. Miller on June 7, 1945.  On May 1, 1975, Ray preceded her in death.  Until her retirement in 2002, Helen worked for 30 years in the mailroom at the Daily Record.  She was also a committed election poll worker for 35 years.

Her hobbies included:  crocheting, reading, completing word-find puzzles and embroidery projects.  She especially enjoyed making her famous pizzelles.  She would religiously visit friends and loved ones in nursing homes where she distributed her homemade pizzelles (and, of course, anyone who might want one or two).  Helen was an avid fan of The Cleveland Indians (Guardians) as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Some may be surprised to know she even loved to watch wrestling.

Helen was incredibly proud of all three of her children and their accomplishments.  There was little more important to her than family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ray, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, her her sister Dorothy “Dot” (DiLucca) Middleton, her brother John (and Cleo) DiLucca, her fiance Harry Lewis, and many incredibly dear aunts/uncles/nephews/nieces/cousins and her beloved companion dog “Chi Chi.”

Helen will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  Helen is survived by her 3 children:  Barbara (Stephen) Waldman of Ashland, OH; Larry (Elsa) Miller of Traverse City, MI; and Sharon (Steve) Hoffman of Belfast, ME; 4 grandchildren – Steve Waldman Jr, Cheryl (Waldman) Ramey, Mandy (Miller) First and Trisha (Miller) Kalamaras; 8 great grandchildren – Eric Waldman, Casey Unger, Ashley Unger, Nick First, Christian First, Grace First, Hailey Kalamaras and Kyle Kalamaras; 5 great great grandchildren, Bailey Waldman, Rylee Unger, Ravynn Unger, Grayson First and Norah First.

Helen is also survived by:  a special cousin, Annette Palacek; Helen’s niece Linda Cutter; her dear Uncle Ben Massaro; cousins Michelle/Lynn/Tony Massaro; nephews Randy (Jackie) Middleton, Ron (Lois) Middleton, Bob (Donna) Middleton, Rick (Carol) Middleton.  Helen also survived by many other nieces, nephews and cousins from the DilLucca, Massaro, Costanzo, Gallo, Carsoni, clans.

The family wishes to express loving gratitude to granddaughter Mandy (First) and children, Nicholas, Christian & Grace who were devoted to their grandmother’s care and remained faithfully by her side in her last days.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday May 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster with Rev. Stephen Moran officiating.  Burial will follow in Sherwood Memorial Gardens.

Friends will be received at the church 2 hours prior to the service.

Those who wish may make a memorial contribution on behalf of Helen may do so to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com