Helen Angela Rode

WHITEFIELD - Helen Angela Rode passed away on September 1st after a short painful battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on May 27, 1947 in The Bronx, New York, the second child of Angelo and Vera Tucciarone. She attended Saint Benedict's Elementary School and later Villa Maria Academy high school. After graduation she entered Fordham University where she earned a B.A. in English and for ten years taught 7th and 8th grades at Saint Benedict's. In 1973, she met Jack Rode, her future husband, when they were taking graduate classes together at Iona College where she earned an M.S. in English/Education. They became engaged on Christmas Day 1973 and were married in October 1974. In February 1978 they welcomed the birth of David their first child and the following year moved to Whitefield when Jack took a teaching position in Gorham. In September 1981, Helen had a second son, James. Anxious to be working again, she took a job selling Avon. When the boys were old enough for school, she restarted her teaching career at White Mountains Regional High School and taught there for twenty years, retiring in 2007. Jack retired the following year. In retirement, they liked to travel and favored transatlantic cruises to and from Europe. Her favorite trip was a Christmas cruise down the Danube River stopping along the way to visit Christmas markets from Nuremburg to Vienna and Budapest. At home, Helen trained to be a volunteer for Hospice and spent hours giving comfort and companionship to those who were approaching the ends of their lives. Most recently, she volunteered her teaching skills to the English class at Mount royal Academy North. To many students Helen was more than just a classroom teacher. She is remembered as a concerned and compassionate woman who always had time to help those who were troubled or in need of strong support. Viewing hours will be at the Bailey Funeral Home, 210 Main Street, Lancaster in the afternoon and evening of Friday, September 17th from 2-4 and 6-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, September 18th at 11:00 AM at All Saints Church, Lancaster. Reverend Matthew Schultz, pastor, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D. Woodbury, NY 11797, would be appreciated.