Helen Whitfield Way Mirabito, 91, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Wynwood of Chapel Hill.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Howerton and Bryan Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Hope Vickers officiating. Burial will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, Md.
Helen was born Jan. 22, 1921, in Carthage, the youngest child of the late Ida Lee Way and Aubie Dalton Way. Soon after her graduation from Elise Academy in Robbins, she met and later married the love of her life, John Mirabito, who was a student, ballplayer for the Red Sox, and a Naval officer.
Helen’s life as a Navy wife was her great joy, as she loved the excitement of traveling around the world, including living on the French Riviera. Cmdr. Mirabito’s retirement from the Navy, and new work with Noah brought them to Rockville, Md., where they were blessed with wonderful friends and neighbors in Flower Valley.
Helen is survived by her brother-in-law, William B. Gurski; nieces, Joan Fletcher, Linda Gailway Hart, Georgia Altomare Klein and Mary Elaina Clemente; and nephews, Maxwell Way, Clyde Way, Frank Altomare and Joseph Altomare.
She will also be missed by many adoring great-nieces, nephews and friends, who knew her as an aunt, a friend, a playmate and a lady of great charm and grace.
In addition to her husband and parents, Helen was preceded in death by her brother, A.D. Way Jr. and wife, Emily; sister, Eloise Gorski; and nephew, Lt. Col. Nelson T. Fletcher.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Care Group of Epworth United Methodist Church, 3002 Hope Valley Road, Durham, NC 27707, or to United Hospice, 301 S. Church St., Suite 122, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Online condolences may made at www.howertonbryan.com.
The Mirabito family is under the care of Howerton and Bryan Funeral Home.