Who Was Helen
This is the story of Helen “Hellcat” (Krugel) Mercadante.
Helen is loved, missed, and will always be cherished. Our “Nona” as she was called by her 19 grandchildren, “Mama” by 10 children of her own, and “Honey” by her loving and hardworking husband of 52 years.
Helen’s story started on June 26, 1942. The middle child of the late Charles and Lebra (Cesare) Krugel of Plains, Pa.
More about her
Her upbringing, Family and Friends
Helen grew up in Plains, PA, where she made lifelong friends. She graduated from Plains High School, where she was a standout student and had a passion for being a majorette, which she always said was a real talent, unlike cheer.
Helen was an amazing dancer and loved telling stories about all the dances. This is where she met her husband of 52 years, Carmen. Together, they were the best jitterbugs. Rev. Thomas A. Flynn married them at Sacred Heart Church on May 16, 1964.
That’s when she started their family of 10 children. She was “Mama Merc” not only to her ten crazy children but to all those who call themselves friends. She loved all of her children. Nobody will ever take her place in any of our hearts. From sporting events, Sunday family dinners, parades with all of the kids, and, of course, birthday parties. She was always good for her laughs, her view on things, and her sassy personality that nobody could ever forget!
She worked for the Social Security Administration for 22 years and loved every minute of it. She had dear friends at work and used work as her break from our dad. She would always say she would never retire because that kept her sane. She talked so fondly of her work buddies and had nicknames galore for all of them.
When she wasn’t working, she was running to all her grandkids’ sporting events. She found such joy in her grandchildren and their accomplishments. She was their biggest cheerleader and let every referee/ump know by still shouting on the sidelines, just like when we were all kids.
Her love of sports was unimaginable for a woman who had her plate full; she always made time to watch her favorite, Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees. She was a woman like no other and was loved so deeply by all of her children. Her door was never locked; it was always open to everyone.
Back in the day, friends would come over to see the WWF fights starring the Mercadante siblings while they ate all the tasty cakes they could. This woman gave birth to ten exceptional children; we have her to credit all of that, too. She not only washed all our clothes, kept a clean house, ran us all over God’s creation, and made dinner every day, but she also made time to have a unique relationship with all of us.
As we all started families of our own, she guided us through every hardship and joyous moment. She was a woman who believed in family first, and that value was most evident when she fell ill. She was loved by so many and left a footprint in our hearts.
