Obituary of Helen M. Amato

Helen M. Amato Bremerton, WA Helen M. Amato, a long-time resident of Allegany passed away Friday (April 29, 2016) in Bremerton, Washington. Born in Kingston, New York on January 23, 1921, she was the daughter of George and Mary Jane Rae Hizen. Helen graduated from Kingston High School and attended New Paltz State Teachers College. She worked for AT&Telephone Company until 1986 when she retired after 40 years of service. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Bonaventure Parish and the Third Order of St. Francis. Surviving are 3 children; Nicholas F. Amato and his wife, Carole of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Claudia M. Roche and her husband, Peter of Southboro, Massachusetts and Maryann A. Andrews and her husband, John of Bremerton Washington; grandchildren, Jonathan Amato, Eric Amato, Elizabeth Roche Griffin, Geoffrey Andrews, Nicholas Andrews and James Andrews; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas J. Amato, her brother, George Hizen and sisters, Angelus Polansky and Loretta Michetti. Friends will be received on Monday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A prayer service will be held Tuesday (May 17, 2016) at 9:00 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Nicholas J. Amato Scholarship Fund, St. Bonaventure University, PO Box 2500, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778.