Helen M. Felice died at her home in Hollister on Thursday, Dec.
4, at the age of 62.
Helen M. Felice died at her home in Hollister on Thursday, Dec. 4, at the age of 62.
She graduated from Gilroy High and moved to Hollister in 1961. Helen was a member of Sacred Heart Church, a former 4-H leader for Sunnyslope and Union 4-H clubs, a member of the A.F.S. program, a member of N.D.G.W. San Juan Parlour and a Baler Band Booster member who served as a caller at their bingo. Her husband described her as being, “… a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and mother-in-law.” She loved cooking, sewing, knitting, needle work, canning and baking; some of which she entered into the fair each year. Her daughters said that she was an excellent ravioli and sauce maker. She was also very fond of her dachshund Max.
“Our Mom stopped and loved to visit with people wherever she was – shopping or just downtown,” said Helen’s family.
Helen Felice worked at Wells Fargo Bank – both in Gilroy and in Hollister – for 15 years. After her retirement, she also worked in the mini-mart at Dick Gularte’s Chevron Station on Prospect and Nash Road. Felice was preceded in death by her father Mervin Payne Senior. She is survived by her stepmother Opal Payne, of Modesto; her mother Eleanor Silacci, of Gilroy; her husband Frank D. Felice Sr., of Hollister; her daughter Gina Felice-Muna with her husband Pete, of Seaside; daughter Nancy Felice-Schindle with her husband Ken, of Vancouver, British Columbia; son Frank D. Felice Jr. with wife Krysti, of Hollister; and her grandson Dominic Felice, of Hollister. She is also survived by her sister Ellen Dilbeck and her brothers Brad Payne, Steve Payne, Mervin Payne Junior, Peter Payne, Charles Payne, and John Salazar.
Visitation was held at the Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home, 870 San Benito St., Hollister, on Monday and will continue today until 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the mortuary chapel at 7 p.m. today. Memorials may be given to the South Valley Dialysis Center in Gilroy or to the Heart Fund cover of the mortuary chapel.
