Helen M. Fortuno

With deep sorrow, we announce the peaceful passing of Helen Fortuno on September 4, 2017. Born on April 5, 1932, in New York, New York, to Markos and Mary Pappas, immigrants from the island of Crete. She spoke Greek as her first language, and attended high school and art school in New York. She converted from the Greek Orthodox Church to the Roman Catholic Church when she married in 1953, but retained a lifelong love of the Orthodox rite and iconography. She relocated to Tucson with a growing family in 1958, and was a founding member of Our Mother of Sorrows Church. In the early ′70's she operated a shop in the old Yard of Art selling her original decoupage creations, and joined the Charismatic Renewal. After raising five children, she worked for the Diocese of Tucson, leading tours to religious sites in Europe and the Holy Land. In retirement, she enjoyed journaling and taught workshops. She was the matriarch of the family, and is survived by five children (Robert, Terri Leboeuf, Richard, Roger, and Russell), eight grandchildren (Michael, Jamie, Jordan, Adam, Ryan, Zackary, Kyle, and Valerie), a great-granddaughter (Aria), and the father of her children (Jose A. Fortuno). Helen will be remembered for her quiet strength, unconditional love of family, creative passion, enduring friendships, and empathic counsel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pima Council on Aging, 8467 E Broadway Blvd., Tucson AZ 85710.