Helen Aleria Jennie Raimondo Mcgrane

Helen (Aleria) Jennie (Raimondo) McGrane passed away peacefully Saturday, April 20,
2024. Born on Manhattan Street (Goose Hill neighborhood) in Schenectady, New York
on January 8 th,1930 to the late Mary (Maria) DeMarco of Naples Italy, and Joseph
(Giuseppe) Raimondo of Matera Italy. Predeceased by husband Charles Kevin McGrane
(10/9/23- 2/28/11) of Romulus (Waterloo) NY, 5 brothers and sisters; Carmela
(Cornicelli) (Bill) Lavery, Frank Cornicelli, Edward (Martha)Cornicelli, and Bernie
(Barbara)Raimondo. She leaves behind sister-in-law Eunice Cornicelli and numerous
nieces and nephews (Cornicelli, Rivers, Malone)
Helen married “Chuck” (Kevin) on August 27, 1949, and shared 62 years of marriage.
They raised 2 daughters; Kathleen Strevel (Wes) of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Maria
Markenson (Glenn) of Quechee Vermont, four Grandchildren; Michael J. Strevel, Erica
J. Gibb (Ian), Casey Tova Hopemark (Danny), Martin Markenson (Olivia Dodge); 2 great
grandchildren Kelly K. Gibb and Oren L. Hopemark.
Helen (Mema) was gracious, humble and kind. She loved butterflies (spring awakening),
Elephants (matriarchs) and Angels (hope). Mema lived 94 years to the fullest, making
and nurturing friendships, caring for family, and working in various jobs from the lunch
counter at Woolworths and MAO (General Electric) all in Schenectady, NY. She left NY
briefly from 1958-68 in support of Chuck’s job with Westinghouse. Helen’s joy came
from spending time with family and friends. The door to her home in Charlton was
always open and the coffee pot on, table set for celebratory gatherings, marathon
games of scrabble, skipbo, pokeno, triominos or uno. After retirement, Helen
volunteered at the Charlton Senior Center and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital. Prior
to moving to Parkland Gardens in Schenectady Helen was a “fixture” at the Glenville
YMCA and was sure to get in her “100 steps” on the elliptical daily. She lived her last
year spending quality time with her daughter Kathy (Wes) and grandson Michael in
Florida.
The family gratefully acknowledges many caring Schenectady physicians to include but
not limited to; Dr Marissa Fusella, Dr. Thomas Goodman, Dr Rana Jacobs, Dr Stephen
Piacetine, and CDPHP-Landmark. In addition, Vicky Avery, Jim, Paul and Doreen of
Parkland Gardens, Halifax Hospice of Port Orange, Florida and a very special Thank
You to Irene Carpenter RN adopted daughter and friend of Charlton, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 9:30 am at St Luke’s
officiated by Reverend Dominic P. Isopo Pastor (1241 State Street Schenectady NY).
Cemetery burial immediately to follow at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National
Cemetery @ 12:30 (200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville, NY). Relatives and family are cordially
invited to attend and may also call at Rossi and Ditoro Funeral Home (501 Union Street
at North Jay St) Schenectady, NY. Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 4-7 pm
In Lieu of flowers donations may be made in Helen’s honor to the Glenville YMCA-
Senior Programs, or Glenville Support Campaign
https://cdymca.org/donate or The Daily Bread Food Pantry at St Luke’s
SLDailyBreadFoodPantry@gmail.com or https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZKPD/home