Mary Helen Bisso

Mary "Helen" Bisso, nee Fogarty, age 93, of Lebanon, IL, formerly of Fairview Heights, IL, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2023 in the early morning hours while surrounded by family at Memorial Hospital, Shiloh, IL.

Helen was born on April 16, 1929, in Ruma, IL.  She left school early to help her family through hardships.  Her love and devotion to family continued to grow after she married Robert Bisso on August 28, 1948.  They were blessed with four  children, 13 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.  They enjoyed many road trips and vacations with family. She loved cooking  big holiday meals for her family and friends.  She enjoyed making quilts and was always sewing or mending for anyone who asked.

Helen was proud of her Irish heritage, which she showed with her favorite color, green.   She loved the St. Louis Cardinals.  And even though they lost that night, she never forgot attending a World Series game.

She was preceded in death by her husband,  Robert A. Bisso; a granddaughter, Amoreena Williams; her parents, Raymond and Ruth, nee Donahoo, Fogarty; a brother, Raymond “June” Fogarty; a brother-in-law, Curt Britt; and many loving brothers and sisters-in-law.

Helen is survived by her children, Pat (Angela) Bisso, Sr., of Jacksonville, FL; Bob (Jan) Bisso of Fairview Heights, IL, Rick (Vikki) Bisso, Sr., of Swansea, IL, and Teresa M. (Mike) Barrington of Fairview Heights, IL; 13 grandchildren, Patrick (Brittany) Bisso, Jr., Laine (Dave) Horstdaniel, Doug (Tana) Kuhn, Mary (Ben) Damann, David (Barbara) Williams, Joe (Laney) Bisso, Brandi Bisso, Becky (Kurt) Rakers, Kelly Harter, Rick (Tanya) Bisso, Jr., Jenny (Paul) Raetz, Jason (Annie) Barrington, and Brian (Chelcie) Barrington; 18 great grandchildren, Drew Horstdaniel, Eli Horstdaniel, Libby Bisso, Blair Bisso, Evie Bisso, Brianna Rakers, Gavin Rakers, Amelia Harter, Charles Harter, Katherine Harter, Harvey Bisso, June Bisso, Brooke Raetz, Evan Raetz, Morgan Barrington, Mason Barrington, Ty Conder, and Olivia Barrington; her sister, Ruth Ann Britt, two dear nieces, Debbie (Kit) Zimmerman and their four children; Josh, Kyle, Ryan and Katie, and Raecel (Duane) Gibson and their family; her sister-in-law, Opal Wilson; and her former grandson-in-law, Matt Harter.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Trinity Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at Kassly Mortuary, Fairview Heights, IL.

Visitation will also be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fairview Heights, IL, with Father Jim Nall officiating. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.