Helen Brancucci Pughes

Born January 21, 1923, to Pasquale and Rosina (Sanza) Brancucci in Denver, Colorado's ""Little Italy"", Helen lived her entire life in North Denver. Rosina died when Helen was quite young. Pasquale, with a good deal of help from his two oldest daughters, extended family, and friends, raised six daughters and a son. All seven (Carm, Angie, Mary, Helen, Josephine, Della, and Jerry) attended Denver public schools, where Helen excelled. She graduated from North High in 1941, and went to work for the Department of the Army during World War II. She never tired of learning, continuing to take classes in Word Processing, Bookkeeping, Accounting, Computers, Computer programming, etc. After World War II she met Jim Pughes, on a blind date. They courted, and married on April 11, 1948. The couple remained married for more than 61 years. Jim preceded Helen in death by a few months. He died on April 20, 2009. Helen worked most of her adult life as a stenographer, secretary, waitress, and bookkeeper. The jobs she enjoyed reminiscing about included Cress' diner, the Land Board, and the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. Her organizational skills were unparalleled, and she was meticulous in business, as well as her personal life. In her off hours she kept the books for Mt. Carmel Parish Credit Union, completed income tax returns for friends and family, volunteered on various committees and guilds at Holy Family Church, served as an election Judge, volunteered for the Democratic Party, and somehow, managed to eke out enough time to raise six children, and keep house for her husband and children. Jim and Helen sent all their children to Holy Family Grade and High School. Mike, Angie (Toureen), Alan, John, Patty, and Mary (Kilburn) graduated from Holy Family High School, and went on to higher education and careers. Helen was deeply religious, and attended daily mass, in addition to Sunday services, after she retired from her job with the state of Colorado. Even in retirement she continued working and going to school. She was bookkeeper for CD Graphics (her son's business) for nearly 20 years, and helped her other children with their independent businesses, and personal bookkeeping and other activities. Helen was devoted to her family, and made sure they got together at least monthly to celebrate a meal and time together. Her abundant love spilled over to everyone she met. She doted on her grandchildren: Sean Pughes, Christi Toureen, Aaron Pughes, Jenae Matteson, Isaac and Zachary Pughes, and Dylan and Chelsea Galleri. She was also blessed to have met great grandchildren including Lexi Pughes, daughter of Sean and Ashley; Taylor and Jazzlynn Ramos, daughters of Christi and Woody; Nevaeh, Emily, Jared, Caley, Melanie, and Derrik, children of Josh and Jenae; and Braydon, son of Isaac and Kelsi. Helen welcomed everyone who came to her home with food, drink, lively conversation, respect, and love. It seems to be a Brancucci family tradition. Surviving family, friends, colleagues, and admirers were blessed to have known Helen, and we will miss her dearly. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, August 5 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3020 Federal Blvd. (Speer Boulevard and North Federal), Denver. The Rosary will be recited Thursday evening, August 6, at 6 p.m., Holy Family Catholic Church, 4580 Utica, Denver. Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 7 (Holy Family Catholic Church) with interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery, There will be a reception following interment at Holy Family's parish hall. Donations may be made in Helen's honor to Holy Family Catholic Church, 4385 Utica, Denver, 80212. Please share your memories and condolences by clicking the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab.