Helen Renzi, 88
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Helen Renzi, 88, of Williamstown died Saturday, July 14, 2012, at her home. A longtime educator, Mrs. Renzi was principal and superintendent of schools in Williamstown.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 21, 1924, the last survivor or the five children of Joseph and Mary Greco, she graduated with a major in education from West Chester (Pa.) University in 1945. She did her graduate studies at Penn State University, Boston University, and at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams.
During her 25-year career in the Williamstown Public Schools, Mrs. Renzi was an elementary school teacher, a principal, and a superintendent of schools. The elementary school named its multipurpose room after her and, each year since 1986, the Helen G. Renzi Award is presented there to four "great kids" from the sixth grade.
She was a lector at St Patrick's Church and volunteered at the Milne Public Library, former The Women's Exchange and the North Berkshire Hospice, and Child Care of the Berkshires. In 1996, she received the town's annual Faith Scarborough Community Service Award.
She and her husband, Ralph Renzi, were married June 18, 1949.
Besides her husband of 63 years, she leaves three daughters, Mary Jo Renzi, Margaret "Maggie" Renzi and her partner, John Sayles, of New Jersey, and Marta Renzi and her husband, Daniel Wolff, of New York State; a son, Mark Renzi and his partner, Carole Jolly, of Arizona; a sister-in-law, Kathryn Greco; her grandchildren Rachel and Jessica Renzi, Luke Robertson, Amos and Lorenzo Wolff, Marco and Julianna Jolly Renzi; a great-grandchild, Cecilia Renzi Arevalom, and nieces and nephews and valued friends.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Memorial Mass for Mrs. Renzi will be held at Thompson Memorial Chapel in Williamstown on Thursday, July 19, at 10 a.m. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the chapel from 9:30 to 10.
Donations can be made to any of the following: Williamstown Public Schools' Renzi Award; the Milne Library; or the Food Pantry at St Patrick's Church all in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.