Helena Frances McJunkin Cellini
May 9, 1925-July 29, 2022
Helena Frances McJunkin Cellini of Hollywood, Florida, died peacefully on July 29, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.
Born on May 9, 1925 in Murphy, North Carolina to John Riley McJunkin and Columbia Rachel Hartness, Helena was the third in a family of six children. She was very proud to be a descendent of American Revolutionary patriots and was an active member of the Biscayne Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Helena spent her childhood in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia and graduated from Cartersville High School at the age of 16. She was a dancer and model who achieved great acclaim as second runner-up Miss America in 1943. After marrying her beloved husband, Dino, in 1946, the couple welcomed four children together and lived in Cuba, Miami and throughout Europe.
Nothing gave Helena greater pleasure than to cook and host dinner parties for her loved ones, which often included her signature meatballs. No matter the occasion — be it a sporting event for her grandchildren or a black tie function — Helena always radiated style and elegance. She had a lifelong passion for dance and taught the aerobics class at her condominium into her 90s.Those who knew her will forever remember Helena’s beauty, wit and devotion to her family and friends.
Helena is predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her siblings: Grace, Margaret, Joni, Carolyn, and Charles. She is survived by her children: Donna (Allan), Marcellina (Mark), Dino, and Dina (Sean); her grandchildren: Helena (Mike), GianMarco, Alana (Marco), Dino (Manuela), Conor (Ana), Cole, and Columbia (Teddy); and her great-grandchildren: Vincent, Gabriel, Dino, Riccardo, Sebastiano, Ava, Adam, Collin, Griffin, Gia, Luca and Adalina.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with a Rosary prayer and Reflections starting at 7:30 p.m., at Boyd-Panciera Hollywood Chapel, 6400 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 8670 Byron Ave, Miami Beach, FL. Internment will follow at Caballero Rivero Southern Memorial Park, 15000 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, FL.
Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care
Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care
St. Josephs Catholic Church
Southern Memorial Park
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Billy Zalman
August 2, 2022, 9:23 pm
My most humble,blessed and gracious condolences to all the family of this wonderful woman
Vincent M. Ungaro
August 2, 2022, 10:12 pm
I love you mama Helena you have been the greatest great grandma in the world . And I know you have lived a long beautiful life and I know you are in a happier place I love you.
Nancy Sullivan
August 2, 2022, 10:35 pm
Dear Cellini Family,
Please know of our great love and admiration for your beautiful Mother, Grandmother, sister and friend.
Helena was truly an original and a powerful role model for all of us. Our lives were forever changed by her friendship and fierce loyalty and love.
Now she rests with her beloved husband in Heaven in the arms of her God and His Mother.
Lynn Bernstein
August 2, 2022, 10:49 pm
On behalf of the Biscayne Chapter, DAR, we offer our sincere condolences to the family.
Taylor Reynolds
August 2, 2022, 11:54 pm
My warmest condolences to Helena‘s children and their families.: Donna, Marchie, Dina and Rick. Helena was a very special lady and always made me smile… Adding elegance and style into any room she entered! She will be missed by so many people.
Scott Jay Feder
August 3, 2022, 4:55 am
May all the memories bring comfort to you. May knowing that so many are thinking of you in this difficult time do the same.
Much love to you and the Cellini and Clancy family.
Irene G.
August 3, 2022, 6:21 am
It’s been a pleasure and an honor to know Miss Helena and your beautiful family
And the history of this precious lady and her husband what a blessing she was to me to hear all the stories of her life and about her grandmother and mother and her father truly I could never forget she leaves a beautiful legacy. It was a pleasure working for her rest in peace Miss Helena I love you
BB Gould
August 3, 2022, 10:49 am
Helena was such a caring, lovely lady. She always made you feel special – a genuine smile behind her eyes. She will be missed. -B.B. Gould
David Deehl
August 3, 2022, 11:17 am
Our deepest condolences. Yelena and David Deehl.
Peter Kovac
August 3, 2022, 12:38 pm
My deepest sympathies to you and your beautiful family. May you know no further sorrow and have only happiness in your life.
Violet Storer
August 3, 2022, 4:28 pm
Helena was so special, always a smile and kind word about everyone. She raised such a beautiful family. Rest in Peace sweet Helena. Violet Storer
Sister Lidia Valli
August 3, 2022, 6:05 pm
Dear Dina and family, the sisters of the Marian Center and the Marian Center family present our condolences and our prayer in this time of sorrow. Our faith helps us to live this moment with peace, surrounded by affections, prayers and support. May Mrs. Helena rest in peace.
Freddie Neal
August 3, 2022, 6:14 pm
Deepest condolences to Helena’s surviving family. She could always find a kind word or a smile for everyone. And a few minutes with Helena would make anyone’s day better. Thank you for sharing her with us. She will be missed.
Marc Trestman
August 4, 2022, 12:19 am
What an amazing woman who led an amazing life! Always a smile and a kind word. The matriarch of a beautiful family. A life well lived.
Condolences to you Dina and your entire family.
Ronnie en Sylvia.
August 4, 2022, 2:03 pm
dear familie we wish you a lot of strengt with the löss of helena we Will never forget her.
Grace Bender
August 4, 2022, 2:59 pm
Helena has always been an incredible woman and beautiful both internally and externally. She has been a role model for so many women. Helena was one of my mother’s (Maria Morisi) best friends in Cuba. She and her husband Dino (my Godfather) were gracious to my Dad (Joe) when he first moved to Cuba. I will always cherish my time with them in Cuba and over the years since then. May God bless this beautiful soul. I know she will have many loving family and friends welcoming her into heaven!
James Gailey
August 4, 2022, 3:44 pm
Our most sincere condolences on the death of your mom. I want you to know that Mari and I, and all of your many friends are thinking about you and your family and sympathizing with you in this time of your great loss. I will never forget the friendliness and kindness that your mother extended to us. She was loved by all who knew her.
Mariana & Jim Gailey
Joy DePasquale
August 4, 2022, 6:03 pm
Dear HELENA what wonderful times we spent together in Rome Italy.. You wouldn’t want to go back there today but when we were there it was glorious.Much love always in your afterlife.
Joop de vries
August 5, 2022, 9:01 am
Dear Family,
it’s been an honor to know HELENA
rest in peace together with DINO in heaven.
Joop de Vries
Kevin Koehler
August 5, 2022, 1:34 pm
Condolences to the Cellini family. We are praying for your comfort through another tough loss for your family.Love and prayers. The Koehler’s.
Frances Duhe
August 5, 2022, 2:59 pm
Dear Dina and Sean,
A.J. and I send our deepest condolences to you and your whole family on the loss of your precious Mother. At times like this, there really are no words of comfort. It’s just deep sadness. The only true comfort is knowing that she rests in God’s loving arms, in her heavenly home. Know that we are thinking about you and wish you peace and healing.
With much love, A.J. and Frances
Joop de vries
August 5, 2022, 4:21 pm
Dear Family,
I hope you will find the strength with the loss of HELENA,
Your dear mother/grandmother.
I will remember her as a lovely woman.
Warm wishes
Joop de Vries
SARAH BENJAMIN
August 5, 2022, 6:42 pm
Marci,
I remember meeting your mother at your party right before graduation. She was an elegant and very special lady.
She had a wonder life.
My sympathy and prayers are with you and your family.
May she Rest In Peace.
Sarah Atkins Benjamin
Steven Wolf
August 7, 2022, 7:02 pm
My sincere condolences. Please let happy memories carry you through this difficult time.
Mary Guerin
August 9, 2022, 12:39 pm
Dear Dina and Sean. My deepest condolences to you both. I wish I had known Helena but I feel like I do from the two of you. What a beautiful obituary. My prayers are with you at this very sad time. You will hold her in your heart forever. Love to you both, Mary
Diane Cellini
August 10, 2022, 4:56 am
My Dearest Helena,
So many prayers and love from all of my family. I’ll always cherish the very dear and happy memories we shared together. You will always be close in the hearts of me and my family. As you loved Jason he mutually loved you too. We will love and remember you always Helena.
Diane & Family