STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Helen Dolores Accardi, 94, formerly of Fort Wadsworth, a loving mother and grandmother who had a penchant for playing cards, died Saturday in Brighton Gardens Sunrise Senior Living Center, Saddle River, N.J.
Born Helen Fitapelli in Manhattan, she moved to Fort Wadsworth in the early 1950s, before settling in Saddle River in 2008.
In her younger years, she worked as a hat designer for Lilly Dache of New York City .
Mrs. Accardi loved listening to music, dancing and spending time with her family. She also enjoyed taking trips to Atlantic City, and often played various card games such as poker.
"She was always there to listen. She never judged anyone and was a nice, loving person," said her daughter, Joan M. Accetturi. "Her unsaid words and actions spoke volumes."
Mrs. Accardi was a parishioner of St. Joesph's R.C. Church, Rosebank.
Her husband, Eugene, died in 1985. She was also predeceased by her grandson, Nicholas, in 1994.
Surviving are two sons, Eugene and Robert; two daughters, Patricia A. Accardi-Scaturo and Joan M. Accetturi; a brother, Joseph Fitapelli, and six grandchildren.
The funeral will be Wednesday from Virginia Funeral Chapel, Dongan Hills, with a 10 a.m. mass in St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Rosebank. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Grasmere.