Helen Russo Preston

Helen E. Russo/Preston, 100, of Glenville, joined the angels, in Eternal Peace on Thursday, June 26, 2025, peacefully in her home.
Born on September 18, 1924, in Schenectady, she was the daughter of Vittorio Russo and Maria Antonia Borrelli/Russo. Helen married John A. Preston on November 28, 1946, and they shared 34 years of marriage. She attended Nott Terrace High School and retired from the Schenectady General Electric Company. Helen practiced her faith at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Schenectady
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by four brothers: Anthony (Tony) Russo, Joseph (Joe) Russo, Pasquale (Pat) Russo, Victor (Vic) Russo and two sisters: Olga Russo/Bonnie, and Marie Elizabeth (Betty) Russo/Pastiglione.
She is survived by a son, John (Jack) Preston and his wife Judie, of Montoursville Pennsylvania; and a daughter Patricia (Patti) Biagiotti, of Maitland Florida; four grandchildren, Dan and Bill Zagata, Rebecca Preston, Elysia Preston-Amiel and seven great-grandchildren, Ian, Caleb, Preston-Campbell, and David, Juliette, Eli, Mia, Jacob Amiel. Bill Zagata, former son-in-law who provided comfort and assistance to Helen as needed. Bibi Sukhrim CNA, who was her loving caretaker, companion, and ‘whatever’ Helen needed for years.
Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she showered them with love and stories of her prowess in sports and was always eager to learn about their adventures and achievements.
Helen was the kindest soul one could ever hope to meet, always placing the needs of others before her own. She never complained, no matter the circumstance, and her resilience was as much a part of her as her kind-hearted nature. Her family was her pride and joy, and she relished any opportunity to share stories about her loved ones with anyone who would listen. Helen loved her massive collection of angels and all animals, especially her dogs and her birds.
Throughout her life, Helen dedicated herself to creating a welcoming home, filled with love and her warm, infectious laughter. Her home was a place of refuge, where everybody was welcomed, and nobody ever left hungry.
Helen loved sports. When young, she was a ping-pong champion, roller skater, bowler, baseball player and crack shot. In her many decades of retirement, she was a dedicated seamstress, focusing on alterations and dressmaking.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions be made to the Food Pantry c/o Sister Maria Rosa Querini, MPV, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Schenectady.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at St. Joseph's Cemetery, 100 Kings Rd, Schenectady, NY, with Father Richard Carlino, officiating. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Helen’s life at a luncheon reception of food and fellowship following the service at Ferrari’s Ristorante.
Helen’s memorial will be scheduled at the convenience of her family as a celebration of her life.