Helen Brennan Vitale

Helen B. Vitale

3/29/1931-10/11/2009

A life lived with love

 Helen B. Vitale left this world with grace and peace on October 11, 2009 with her loving family by her side. She fought a valiant and dignified fight with cancer, surrendered, but never lost faith. The more that was stripped away and the more vulnerable she became, the more beautiful and lovely she appeared, revealing her essence of deep and abiding love which has defined her life.

A native of Pelham New York, Helen graduated from the College of New Rochelle, and was employed by NBC Sports, working with Lindsey Nelson prior to her marriage to her late husband, Albert G. Vitale, MD, founder of the Cardio- Pulmonary Departments at both St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in Manhattan and Overlook Hospital in Summit New Jersey.

While primarily devoted to the needs of her family, Helen was also well known in the Summit community for over 30 years for her characteristically tireless voluntary service at Overlook hospital, Family Services, St. Teresa’s Parrish and the New Jersey Commission for the Blind.  She was an avid golfer and paddle tennis player and an active member of the Rock Spring Club, West Orange New Jersey.

Following 5 years in Convent Station, New Jersey, Helen relocated to Salt Lake City in 2004, following the death of her beloved husband, where she has been an integral part of the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was quick to make friends and enjoyed playing bridge with the Newcomer’s Club, Friends Club, and St Vincent’s Bridge group. She was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna’s Catholic Church.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas I. Brennan, her sister, Georgine Brennan, and her loving husband Albert G. Vitale, MD. She is survived by her sisters, Grace B. Steer, her identical twin, Sally A Taylor, and her brother Thomas I. Brennan.  Helen also leaves behind her three loving children and their spouses: Albert T. Vitale, MD, Patricia A.Vitale, MD and four grandchildren, Jazz, Alexandra, Sophia, and Ryan of Salt Lake City, Utah; Thomas W. Stanton-Vitale and Gaysu Stanton-Vitale of Reston Virginia; and Helen F. Vitale of Roselle Park, New Jersey.

Helen’s true legacy is the fruit of a life lived with love. In both health and illness, she illuminated suffering with some measure of joy, sought to comfort rather than to be consoled, maintained hope in utter darkness. She was elegant in stature, courageous of mind and generous of spirit with a unique capacity to grasp happiness and impart it to others, heart to heart.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Newman Center, 170 University St, Salt Lake City, UT, 84102.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Fourth Street Clinic or to the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake City.

Hers was a life lived with love, gentle kindness, hope, gratitude, and courage.

Love deeply and unconditionally, show others kindness, grab happiness as it comes and be grateful.