Helen Marie Bottini Gerdano passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, just shy of her 101st birthday.

    Helen was born in Rome, NY on November 12, 1924, the daughter of Julio and Rosa (Santamassino) Bottini and moved to Utica shortly thereafter. As the youngest of ten siblings, she shared her childhood with her beloved brothers and sisters: Magdeline “Nellie” Eadecola, Antoinette Esposito, Louise Moccaldi, Anna Morinitti, Carmela Campese, Assunta “Sadie” Monaco, Joseph Bottini, Paul Bottini, and Dorothy DiStefano.

    Helen is survived by her three children: her daughter, Donna Donald of North Hills, CA; her son Joseph Gerdano and daughter-in-law Sue Gerdano of Santa Clarita, CA; and her daughter Cynthia Roth and son-in-law Bob Roth of Utica, NY. She was a devoted grandmother to six grandchildren: Joanna Horning of San Diego, CA; KC Marie Knox and husband Ted Knox of Winnetka, CA; Shannon Fullove and husband Matt Fullove of Santa Clarita, CA; Robert Roth and wife Katelyn Lindsey Roth of Glendale, CA; Jennifer Feinberg and husband Jeff Feinberg of Oceanside, CA; and Connor Roth (Dominique Arcuri) of Utica, NY. Helen also leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Kitara, Theodore, Logan, Kaitlynn, and Emery.

     Although Helen moved to California in 1959, she cherished her ties to her New York roots, maintaining close connections through frequent calls and visits. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, with whom she shared special bonds, particularly with Denise Giruzzi, Adele Pacini, Helen Trotta and the late Rosemary Mastroianni.

     Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Helen’s Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church, 422 Tilden Ave., Utica.  She will be laid to rest at St. Agnes Cemetery in Utica, where she will be reunited with her family.