HELEN ANN AICHER FASCIONE
Helen Ann Aicher Fascione died on May 25, 2017 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s. Helen was born in Reiffton, Pennsylvania on November 23, 1929 to Willard and Paul Aicher, along with five siblings. She attended Penn State College, and later in life received a Master’s degree from Temple University. Helen had three children with her former husband Daniel Fascione (Secky, Chris, Nina) and three grandchildren (Nick, Andrew, Allie). In her early career, Helen worked at the Philadelphia Bulletin and at TV Guide as a journalist. As her family grew, she became a public school teacher (and AFT member) in Philadelphia, where she inspired generations of students to realize their intellectual and creative potential, first as an elementary school teacher and later as a reading and math specialist. She also taught Religious Education at the Main Line Unitarian Church. Helen had many friends and helped lead her book club, “The Bookies” for decades. She was active in the outdoors, serving as President of her Trail Club and taking bike riding and hiking trips around the globe, including climbing Mt. Fuji in her sixties and Machu Pichu in her seventies. Helen’s biggest passion was travel, and she visited dozens of countries with friends, her family, and on solo trips. Even as she neared retirement, she spent a year teaching in Japan. Helen supported many progressive causes, including Women’s Strike for Peace and the local Democratic Party. She was a dedicated volunteer, especially for Reading for the Blind, where she received an award after volunteering for many years. She taught her children a love of travel, reading and theater, and of board games (though all her life she preferred to win). Helen ended her days at Friends House in Sandy Spring, Maryland where she was supported and loved. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, her three grandchildren, and her sister Marty Petkosh of Mt. Gretna, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children.org.