Helen Josephine Boscaino

Helen Josephine Boscaino, 90, of Bellefonte, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Friday, January 1, 2021, at Centre Crest Nursing Home.

Born October 3, 1930, in Valley View, she was a daughter of the late Fred and Catherine (Evinsky) Ranio. Her parents were Ukrainian immigrants from the former Austria-Hungary and Helen grew up in a large family of 15 children. They all had much responsibility caring for one another as well as the family farm while her father worked in the limestone mines. Helen and her siblings formed a tight family bond that lasted throughout their lives and into succeeding generations. 

On August 2, 1951, in Pensacola, Fla., she married Anthony G. “Tony” Boscaino, who preceded her in death on November 20, 1997. 

Helen’s life was primarily centered on her home and family. In her earlier years she had worked at the Match Factory and for a local laundry. She also worked as a waitress at her husband Tony’s restaurant, Bosco’s, on West High Street in Bellefonte. She also assisted Tony with office duties during his service as Bellefonte Borough tax collector. In her later years she delighted in visiting her daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in the company of her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Sandy Ranio. 

She was a lifelong and faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by her son, Gary James Boscaino, on March 31, 1974, and ten siblings: Anna Davis, Mary Garner, Michael Ranio, Julia Breon, Catherine Ranio, Rose Ranio, Pauline Auman, Marion Ranio, Sandra Jean Ranio, and an infant brother. 

Helen is survived by her daughter, Saundra Boscaino Chubb of Richmond, Va.; her granddaughters, Rennae (Matt) Rodgers of Ashburn, Va., and Marissa Brotherton (John Fowler), of New Market, Md.; and five great-grandchildren, Connor Rodgers, Alayna Rodgers, Caroline Rodgers, Brielle Brotherton, and Steel Brotherton. She is also survived by four siblings, Theodore “Ted” (Leah) Ranio of Bellefonte, Florence (Donald) Osborne of Ashburn, Va., James “Jim” (Sandra) Ranio of Bellefonte, and Donna Walker of Bellefonte, together with many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and other extended family whom she loved very much and to whom she was affectionately known as “Honey.”

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 8, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 134 East Bishop Street, Bellefonte, Pa., with Father George Jakopac as celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. A private family viewing will be held at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte prior to the funeral mass. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte. Following CDC recommendations, social distancing is encouraged, and face coverings will be required at all services. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 134 E. Bishop Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823.