CHICOPEE – Helen J. (Pianko) Lacosse, 94, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. She passed into Eternal Life at her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Harrison, New Jersey on September 30, 1923, a beloved daughter of the late William and Stella (Babinski) Pianko. She was raised and schooled in Harrison and had to leave school to help her parents care for the rest of the family. In 1950, Helen moved to the Fairview section of Chicopee where she lived the rest of her life and raised her family. During her leisure time, Helen enjoyed knitting, reading, crocheting and canning vegetables from her garden. She was a wonderful cook and taught her daughters the fine art of arranging a meal for a large family. Most of all, she devoted herself to her family and showered them with her love and affection which was returned to her a thousand fold. She was a faithful communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee where she was a member of the Saint Anne Sodality Guild. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, best friend and loving dance partner, Leon J. Lacosse who was Called Home on January 18, 2009. They were married on June 26, 1948 at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in Harrison, New Jersey and were blessed with over 60 years of happiness together. Helen is survived by her four loving children, Donna M. Carris and her husband, James, of Charlestown, RI, David A. Lacosse and his wife, Jane, of Owings, MD, Dean C. Lacosse and his wife, Lisa, of Chicopee and Dorene M. Bramucci and her husband, Paul, of Ludlow; her six cherished grandchildren, Jennifer H. Bramucci who was a dedicated and loving caregiver to her “Bachie” for the past few years, Nathan M. Lacosse and his wife, Kim, Amy J. Poole and her husband, Josh, Jeffrey P. Bramucci, U.S. Navy LTJG Andrew D. Lacosse and Alicia L. Lacosse; her four great-grandchildren whom she adored, Nathan M. Lacosse, Jr., Grayson R. Poole, Jonathon Hoyt and Jaelyn White; her dear sister-in-law, Janet Lacasse; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Lacosse, Pianko and Lacasse families. In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was also predeceased by three dear brothers, Joseph, Theodore and Eugene Pianko; and her two dear sisters, Irene Sanders and Julia Stensgar. Her funeral will be held on Saturday morning, April 14, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, April 13, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Baystate Home Care and Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199 or to The King’s Daughters Day School, 502 West Front Street, Plainfield, NJ 07060. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
