Our Obituaries

Eileen “Helen” Corey Latini went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 24, 2017 surrounded by her loving family at her home. She was 95 years old, born October 12th 1922 in Pond Eddy, NY, the only child of Albert E. Corey and Ellen O’Noonan Corey. Helen was a graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Port Jervis, and the Port Jervis High School class of 1941. She was a lifelong resident of this fair city, a faithful member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, a fifty-three year member and past regent of the Catholic Daughters of the America’s, Court Madonna #114, Port Jervis and a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Society of Port Jervis. Helen generously served her church and her community throughout her life. She taught a seventh grade confraternity class at St. Mary’s for more than forty years, receiving an achievement award from then Cardinal Terrance Cook for her exemplary work and efforts. She was also a volunteer for many years with the Meals on Wheels food delivery Program in the Port Jervis area, and also served with the women from St. Mary’s that visited the State Hospital in Middletown on a weekly basis, bringing home-baked items, and singing and reading to the patients while visiting with them. She also faithfully worked at the local polling station in the first ward during the city’s primary’s and general election for many years. Helen took great pride not only in her personal appearance but her housekeeping and yard work as well. She throughly enjoyed decorating inside and outside. The holidays were particularly a time of enjoyment, always making Christmas something extra special for everyone in the family, especially her grandchildren. Although surrounded on all sides within a predominantly Italian neighborhood, she was steadfast in her pride of her Irish heritage. Of a gentle humor yet with poignant insight, when once among a crowd of people she was asked, “What would you be if you were not Irish? She simply replied, “I’d be ashamed”. A family statement read, Mom was always there for us, dearly and deeply loved by her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Michael in 2002, her son Richard “Dick” in 2012 and her great granddaughters, Madison Cook in 2005 and Crystal Rose in 2011. Helen is survived by her two sons: Michael B. Latini, Jr. and his wife Anna of Port Jervis, Jack Latini and his wife Theresa also of Port Jervis, and daughter-in-law, Frances Latini of Melbourne, Fl. Survivors also include: thirteen grandchildren: Theresa, John, Lesley, Matthew, Eileen, Lauren, Andrew, Vincent, Joseph, Edward, Lauren, Kathleen and Maria. She is also survived by 26 great grandchildren, ten nieces and nephews: Gloria (flower girl in her wedding), Georgianna, Larry, Frances, Georgina, Joseph, Anthony, James, Louis and Marianne. Visitation will be held 4-8 PM Friday, October 27 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Catholic Daughters will conduct services at 5 PM. Prayers will be offered 9:15 AM Saturday, October 28 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis. The family would like to thank the Willcare Program and the Hospice Program of Orange County, and especially Brenda Jennings for the exceptional care she provided during Mom’s last several months. The family requests donations be made to St. Mary's R.C. Church of Port Jervis, 46 Ball St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 B’way, 14th Floor, NY, NY. 10004. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or tot send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.