Helen R. Cameli

Helen Rose Cameli, nee Mesec, 87 of New Lenox, IL, born February 10, 1935 in Waukegan, IL and peacefully passed on Sunday July 24, 2022 at Silver Cross Hospital with her husband Sam and son Tom by her side.
Rose as she was called by friends and family graduated from Waukegan Township High School in 1953 and then attended Northern Illinois University for two years. She left Northern Illinois for a job opportunity at Great Lakes Naval training Center Gunners Mate School and during that time she meet and married her husband Samuel R. Cameli. Later, she completed her associates degree at Prairie State College in Early Childhood education and then began working as the Director of the Nazarene Nursery and Kindergarten school where she was fondly known as “Miss Rose” from 1969-1984. After leaving the Director position she wanted to try her hand at teaching and so she then began working as a teacher at the Children’s Learning Centers where she was recognized as a Gold Star Teacher in 1985 and 1987. Rose retired from teaching but stayed active in the community working as a volunteer at Silver Cross Hospital from 2000-2020. She also served as a Eucharist Minister at St. Jude’s Church in New Lenox, IL.
During retirement Rose and Sam enjoyed traveling. Some of the highlights included Italy 4 times, Alaska, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, Las Vegas, and driving Route 66 – starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, California. In addition, they traveled to Mexico on three separate occasions with their children and grandchildren visiting Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Chichen Itza. They were even able to enjoy two family cruises on the Queen Mary (departing from NY) and a Disney Cruise with their grandchildren.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Frank and Helen Mesec. Surviving are her husband Samuel Cameli who she was married to for 66 years, three sons Mike, Tom and Jim Cameli, five grandchildren, David, Jenna, Alyssa, Jacquelyn, and Rachele, and one great grandchild Luna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Church, 241 West Second Avenue, New Lenox, IL 60451.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 31, 2022 at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 East Francis Road, New Lenox, Il.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Jude Church. Burial will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 West Hoff Road, Elwood, Il.