WATERBURY ~ Helen M. (Vanasse) Byrne, affectionately know as "Beetle", 91, of Waterbury passed on Friday, August 19, 2011 at St. Marys Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was married to the love of her life, Tom for 51 years before his passing in 1996. Mrs. Byrne was born December 22, 1919 in Waterbury, daughter of the late Achil and Rose (Alarie) Vanasse. In 1935, she won the WATR Spelling Bee. She was an excellent seamstress who sewed all of her daughters prom, wedding and attendant gowns, and other special occasion outfits. Helen had a quick wit and was a practical joker. She was a crossword champion, avid reader and an excellent cook. She was known for jars of candy for all the children who visited. Helen was known as "the best dressed woman in Waterbury" and known for her love of the color red. She leaves her children, Helen Galvin and her husband, Dennis of Waterbury, Elizabeth Barnes and her husband, Thomas of Harrisburg, PA, Diane Harmon and her husband Jerry of Southington, Martin Byrne and his wife, Helene of Bristol, and Jacquelyn Morrone and her husband, Bruce of Wolcott, her brother, Louis Vanasse of Wolcott, her sister, Alice Barna of CA, 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 9 am on Thursday at Woodtick Memorial, 420 Woodtick Rd., Wolcott to St. Leo the Great Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Burial will follow at New St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Leo the Great Church, 14 Bentwood Dr., Waterbury, CT 06705. The Byrne family would like to thank the staff at St. Marys Hospital, Vitas, and all her friends at the Village at East Farms and St. Leos Church for all their support. To leave an expression of comfort to Helens family, please visit www.woodtickmemorial.com

Service Information Service Thursday August 25, 2011 10:00 AM St. Leo the Great Church 14 Bentwood Dr. Waterbury, CT 06705 -->