October 5, 1930 - February 16, 2024

Helen was born in Redwood City on October 5, 1930 in a house that is still standing on Middlefield Road across from Costco. They later moved to Standish Street into what was the carriage house at one time for a large estate. When the family grew to 6, it was time to move again. They moved to a larger house, purchased with a handshake and $2,000, where the next 4 children were born, now they had become a family of 10!
Helen attended Central School where the Fox Theater stands now and continued her education at Mt Carmel and Seqouia High School. She was quite the athlete and a proud member of the Treble Clef singing group. She graduated in 1948 and up until her recent fall attended every Sequoia Alumni picnic! She met Thomas Cocco shortly after graduation and they were married in June of 1949. They lived in an apartment on Manzanita Street and then purchased their first home in 1951. In 1953, they purchased their newly built home where Helen lived for 70 years. Helen was a stay-at-home Mom for her 2 daughters, President of the PTA, Brownie leader and room Mom. She actually did not get her driver's license until 1963, so we all walked many miles through the streets of Redwood City to pay bills and visit family members. Helen was proud of her Italian heritage and the fact that she was a lifelong resident of Redwood City.
Helen volunteered at St Anthony's dining room for many years, as well as the Veteran's Memorial Senior Center where she also served as a Board member. She was President of AARP, Fun after Fifty Club, the Redwood City Historical Society and served for many years as docent for the historical Lathrop House. She was also the long time treasurer for ISCCC. Helen served as Deputy of Marriages at the courthouse and said she had probably married several hundred couples! She was a proud member and past President of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Bonita Parlor #10 and made some life-long friends there. She was an avid bowler and sorely missed the old Woodside Bowling alley near the Woodside Plaza.
Helen passed peacefully, surrounded by her family. Her husband Tom passed away in 1986. She was preceded in death by sister Evelyn Perkins and brothers Angelo Del Ben, Louis Del Ben and Donald Del Ben. She was Mom to her daughters, Jan Diridoni and Kathy Fox, and her "whirling dervish", Andrea Zavitsanos. Grams to her 4 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren, sister to Laura Lencioni, Anna Ooms and Richard Del Ben. Helen was Auntie and Great Auntie to many nieces and nephews. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful, loving care she received from caregivers, Kim and Lara at Atherton Gardens in Redwood City and the staff at Vitas Hospice Care. Donations in her name can be made to St. Anthony's Dining Room in Menlo Park or the Veterans Memorial Senior Center in Redwood City. We hope you can join us for a celebration of her life at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison, Redwood City on Saturday March 16 from 12-3pm.