Helen Eleanora Intravia Campisi died peacefully at her rural home on July 6, 2018 at age 93.  She was born on June 29, 1925 in Middletown, CT to Sebastian and Josephine Intravia, Silician immigrants who owned and operated floral nurseries.  The youngest of three daughters, Helen was raised to believe that she could achieve anything and that her opinion was just as valid as a man's.  During the war effort, she was a real "Rosie the Riveter" at the local Pratt and Whitney aircraft manufacturer.  She was able to live and attend fashion design school in New York City before marrying Hugo Campisi and moving to California.

The couple settled in San Mateo county where she had her own ice cream truck prior to Good Humor franchisees being on the peninsula.  She took her strong dog "Boxy" on the route to protect her and entertain children.  She also held an administrative job at the regional Jewish synagogue in San Francisco. The Campisis had the good fortune of owning a racehorse, El Matador, who raced at Tanforan in San Bruno, CA.  They moved to the Hecker Pass countryside in the early 1960's for the warmer weather and to have a place for their horses.  They developed the mountain they had purchased into home lots off El Matador Drive.  The couple built a custom home where their raised their two sons, Curtis and Calvin Campisi, and grandson, Kyle Campisi.  She raised and trained close to thirty dogs in her lifetime and enjoyed animals, gardening, and nature very much.

Mrs. Campisi worked at Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale for close to twenty years.  Starting out as a receptionist for $4.00 an hour, she rose through the ranks and obtained a top secret security clearance to serve as a technical editor, assisting with the proofreading of engineering manuals and development specs for equipment.  She obtained an AA degree from Mission College and was the only one of her rank at work without a four-year degree or higher.

Helen had several ventures with her husband, including import businesses and management of a restaurant.  She was well-known for her fantastic pesto sauce and orange-colored pork-based Sicilian pasta sauce.  One of her goals after she retired was to have her secret sesame candy recipe manufactured commercially.  She went to great lengths to make it herself in commercial community kitchens in Santa Cruz county but its labor intensive process made it impossible to fill all of the orders.  She spent a lot of time designing and sewing her own clothes.  She enjoyed becoming a bowman in her 80's.

She was a motherly figure to many individuals outside of her own family.  She always made time to talk to others needing advice over a cup of tea or coffee and help them put their current situation in true perspective.  Her optimistic and adventurous spirit inspired many.

The family would like to thank her wonderful friends and the resident caregivers who made her last months of life safe and comfortable.

There will be a viewing at Habing Family Funeral Home at 9:30am immediately followed by a graveside service at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, 900 First Street in Gilroy at 11:00am on Monday, July 16, 2018.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Joseph's Family Center or the charity of your choice,