Helen “GMa” DiCenso passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026. She was 96 years old. Helen died in her own home, and in her own bed, just the way she wanted it, on par with the course of her life.

Spry, determined, forever the realist, when asked what she wanted her obituary to say, the response was immediate; “HELEN IS DEAD”. Really, is that it? “THAT’S IT. ISN’T IT!”

For all who knew Helen it will come as no surprise that as a child she wanted to be a lion tamer. Instead, her center stage persona lent itself to becoming the biggest kid, the “boss”, of every 4th grade class she taught in her 30 year career at Lakehurst Elementary. Her students cried when they found out they got Mrs. D as their teacher and they cried on their last day of class because they ended up adoring the woman who doled out as much discipline as she did knowledge, love, and respect for her students.

Never boring. Helen loved life. She was a loyal friend, the ultimate beach girl, snorkeled until she was in her 80’s, and fancied herself a party animal. Her unbridled passion for live music was contagious. Three “food” groups kept her alive: sugar, nicotine, and caffeine. In fact, Helen’s last words were “I want chocolate cake.” An utterance that is definitively Helen made for a beautiful goodbye to her very sweet life.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Dominic, and their son, Anthony “Tony” DiCenso. She is survived by her daughter, Oley, son-in-law John; grandchildren, Dominic, Anthony, and Jessica; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews (Mainers who visited often); and many close friends.

A goodbye party for Helen will be held sometime this Autumn.