Mary Helen Morelli, 92, a resident of the Forest Grove community passed away on Tuesday morning, October 24, 2017 at her home.

Mary Helen was born as Cora Charlotte Nason on August 21, 1925 in Murdo, SD to Lilly (Weigandt) and Ray Nason.  After her mother's untimely death the family dissolved.  Viola Nason, and step siblings Edna Eaton and Ralph Eaton became independent.  In 1931, “Cora" was adopted by William and Mae (Konrath) Fitzgerald and renamed Mary Helen.  Siblings Harriett, Bernice and Marion went to three different families. In 1959 Harry Weigandt facilitated the Nason childrens' reunion.

Upon adoption, Mary Helen gained brothers Ralph and Russell and had a wonderful childhood in Hot Springs, SD. During the dust bowl and depression her family moved to Mitchell, SD and she was enrolled at Notre Dame Academy. In 1937 Fitzgeralds moved to California.  Mary Helen graduated from Alhambra high school in 1945. She went to work at the Alhambra foundry, and then worked as a teller for Bank of America in El Monte, CA.

At the close of WWII Mary Helen met her beloved husband, Frank Morelli. They met while on an outing with her CYO group and both liked to dance. They married January 10, 1948 at All Souls Church in Alhambra, CA. They lived in San Gabriel and Ontario, CA.  In 1960 they moved to a small farm in Midway, OR.  In 1980 they moved again to Cornelius. Following her stroke they lived near their eldest daughter in California, until 2016 when they made their final home in Forest Grove.

Mary was a loving and devoted mother to her seven children; Nicole, David, Michael, Lorraine, Gerard, Thomas and Elisa. She was a very active mother always volunteering at the children's school and at her church. She was member of St Matthew in Hillsboro, St Alexander's in Cornelius and St Anthony of Padua in Forest Grove.  Mary Helen gained her Associates Degree and worked for Washington County ESD. 

Mary Helen loved to read.  She enjoyed her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, knitting and crocheting. Frank and her traveled.

She is preceded in death by her nine siblings and a son-in-law; Jon Hobbs

She is survived by her loving husband, Frank, seven children and their spouses;  Nicole Morelli and Jim Memmott both of Bel Lomond, CA, David and Mary Jo Morelli of Forest Grove, Michael and Linda Workman-Morelli of Newberg, Lorraine and Dan Hiscoe of Gaston, Gerard and Helen Morelli of Aloha, Thomas Morelli and his companion Karen Coder both of Richmond, VA, Elisa Morelli of Portland, OR, fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

The  family suggest donations in Mary Helen’s name to the local library.

SERVICES

Recitation of the Holy Rosary

Monday, October 30, 2017

10:00 AM

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

1660 Elm Street

Forest Grove, Oregon 97116

Funeral Mass

Monday, October 30, 2017

10:30 AM

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

1660 Elm Street

Forest Grove, Oregon 97116

Reception

Monday, October 30, 2017

11:30 AM

St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

1660 Elm Street

Forest Grove, Oregon 97116

Rite of Christian Burial

Monday, October 30, 2017

1:30 PM

Visitation Catholic Cemetery

NW Oosterman Rd. & NW Visitation Rd

Forest Grove, Oregon 97116