Helen M. (Bates) Babione

Helen Marie Bates Babione left this earth peacefully on Saturday, October 5th, 2024 at the age of 95.  We know she was taken immediately in the arms of the angels and presented to God, The Most High.  

Helen moved to Lake Worth, Florida from her family farm in Ohio in 1948 and eventually to Boca Raton, Florida in 1960. She and her husband Robert opened Babione Funeral Home and became active members in the community.  Helen and Robert joined St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where they were one of the pioneer families that helped grow the church and school into the beautiful sanctuary and campus it is today.  As a devoted member for 50+ years, her many friends and family enjoyed her 90th birthday party in the church’s Mercy Hall in March 2019.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 2004, daughter Mary Veccia, son Robert Babione Jr. and his wife Sue Babione, son-in-law Mike Haggerty, and grandson Brian Veccia.

As a mother and a friend to so many she was compassionate, generous, loving, and a kind spirit-filled woman who loved helping others and bringing people together.  She encouraged everyone to live their best life and to stay happy and healthy.

She leaves her family with many fond memories.  She Is survived by daughters: Kathryn (Mark) Rogers, Phyllis Haggerty, Ashley (Tim) Glick, Jean (Bill) Giffin, son Paul Babione; son-in-law Joe (Damiana) Veccia.  She was blessed with eleven grandchildren:  Tiffany (Don), Kimberly (Nick), Jennifer, Pamela (Seth), Robert (Stefanie), Cindy (Daryl), Alyson (Fergus), Kaitlyn (Marcello), Jonathan (Rachel), Laura, and Trevor.  Along came thirteen great-grandchildren:  Kade & Quinn FitzHenry, Madelyn & Abigail Veccia, and their mother Jaime. Alexis & Savanna Babione, Kyle Smith, Bruno, Amelia & Clara Amsalem, Georgiana & Zinnia Keatinge, Liliana Barioli, also many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Helen was very proud of her work on the “Honor Your Doctor” annual luncheon event which is organized by the Downtown Rotary Club. The Soroptimist Club which she started in Boca Raton is also dear to her heart; she is a donor to the growth of Boca Raton Regional Hospital (she co-chaired an annual Go Pink Luncheon) and a life member of the Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League.  She was a founding member of the Society for the Disabled in 1960 and from that The Twin Palms Center for the Disabled and the Habilitation Center of Boca Raton were started.   She supports the work of AACY (The American Association of Caregiving Youth); She was also involved with the Downtown Kiwanis and Key Club work.   She was an advocate for women and children her whole life.  Helen and her late husband received many honors over the years for their community service including the “Heartland Award” presented by Florida then Gov. Lawton Chiles and the “Family of the Year” award from the Florida Knights of Columbus.   Most recently, she received a beautiful figurine from St. Joan of Arc Church for her faithfulness and love of Jesus.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, October 13th at Glick Family Funeral Home from noon to 6:00pm with a wake service at 3:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Monday at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church followed by interment at Boca Raton Cemetery.

At Helen’s wish, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made through the donation tab above. The funds will then be distributed by the family to many of Helen’s most beloved charities.