Helbig, Concetta Elizabeth (Bruno)

Concetta Elizabeth (Bruno) Helbig

09/17/1930 – 08/23/2023

With heavy hearts we sadly announce the passing of Connie Helbig of Canandaigua, NY (previously of Fairport, NY) on August 23, 2023  at the age of 92, surrounded by her family.

Born on September 17, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Nicola and Pasquarosa (Steffieri) Bruno.  She attended Philadelphia All Girls High School and Temple University, where she graduated with a BA in Teaching.  She went on to the career that she loved, teaching elementary education for 8 years in Pennsylvania and 26 years as a 5^th grade teacher and Elementary Supervisor in Fairport.

In 1953 she married the love of her life, Erich, who she met through his sister Alma, while attending Temple University.  She is survived by her husband Erich, just having celebrated their 70-year anniversary.  She is also survived by her children Erich (Rick) (Sharon) Helbig, Gregory Helbig, and Nina (George) Perin, grandchildren Claire Helbig, Erich (Kayla) Helbig, and Renee Johnson (Jeffrey Woodcock), great-grandchildren Madison McLaughlin and Jaxon Woodcock, and brother Nicholas Bruno.  In addition, she was beloved by many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends, and former students.  She was pre-deceased by her parents and brother Michael Bruno. 

She was passionate about her Lutheran faith and was a pioneer at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Fairport, becoming the first female Church Counsel member and first female Church Counsel President.  She and Erich loved to travel, visiting Australia and Europe several times, China, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and just about every state in the USA.  She and Erich found that they really loved the Southwestern United States and began spending the winter months in Laughlin, Nevada.  She was frequently found playing bingo or at her penny slot machines at the local casinos!  Needless to say, a lot of family and friends found their way out to visit them over the years.  Connie was also a wonderful baker and loved making treats and having High Tea for her family and friends around the holidays.  She was an avid reader and loved a good mystery book.

There will be no calling hours.  A celebration of her life will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in
Fairport, NY on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 11a.m.  Interment will be at White Haven Memorial Park, Pittsford, NY at the convenience of the family.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fairport, NY, The American Heart Association, or The American Cancer Society.

Gone From My Sight

By Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore.  

A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. 

She is an object of beauty and strength.

I stand and watch her, until at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, “There, she is gone.”

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. 

That is all.  

She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. 

And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me — not in her.

And, just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”

And that is dying…