Helena Mae (Layman) Nanni, 95, of Aurora, Indiana, passed away Saturday, December 25, 2021, in Milan, Indiana.
She was born September 14, 1926, in Ironton, OH, daughter of the late Lester Layman and Bertha (Altman) Graff.
She was a member of the Community Fellowship Church, and loved spending time with her church family.
She began her career at age sixteen working as a professional seamstress and fitter for over 50 years. Helena worked at Shilito’s, Lazarus, and Sak’s Fifth Avenue. During her career, Helena made many wedding dresses, and did countless alterations. She taught sewing to children, as well as adults, and she enjoyed the teaching as much as sewing. She also loved to square dance. Helena was a very hospitable lady, known to welcome anyone into her home. The last two years of her life were spent living at Ripley Crossing in Milan, Indiana, where her family greatly acknowledges that the care that she received while there, was second to none.
Helena is survived by daughter, Linda Lee (Richard) Stanley of North Granby, CT; son, Steven Albert (Deborah) Nanni of Aurora, IN; granddaughters, Danielle (Ritchie) Baker and Christa (Jake) Clark; great-grandchildren, Alyssa & Katlyn Baker, and Dylan & Felicity Clark; several nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Bertha Graff; husband, Umberto Albert Nanni; sister, Patricia Leidenheimer;
Private family services will be held at the convenience of the family. A public celebration of life will be held sometime in the Sping of 2022.
Contributions may be made to the Southeast Indiana Youth Orchestra. Crystal (Kessen) Powers was dad’s student and in his orchestra and now the director. Mother loved going to the concerts when she was able to. She gave Crystal dad’s conducting wand, much of his music and various violin related decor, which is in her office. In almost all printed programs for orchestra concerts Crystal has a caption…..”dedicated to Nanni’s Strings, the original Southeast Indiana Youth Orchestra…Mother loved that.
The link to make a donation is on the SEIYO website: www.seiyouthorchestra.org
If you prefer to make a donation by check, the mailing address is: Southeast Indiana Youth Orchestra, 7820 Briarway Ct., Guilford, IN 47022.
Visit: www.rullmans.com