Hornell, New York
Helen J. Robbins – (100 years young) – formerly of 41 Oak St., Hornell, died Sunday evening (April 19, 2026) at Updyke’s Willow Ridge Nursing Facility where she had resided for the past 3 years.
Born in Hornell on May 24, 1925, she was the daughter of Antonio & Carmela (DeGaetano) Colomaio.
Helen grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School. She later graduated from Hornell High School (class of 1943).
For several years, Helen was employed as a legal secretary for the law office of Whiteman & Whiteman and later as a stenographer for Charles Cutler Insurance Agency. For 33 years she served as a stenographer & senior clerk for the New York State Department of Health, retiring in 1981 following 33 years of service.
Helen was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a lifelong communicant of St. Ann’s Church. She was a former member & secretary for the Ladies Auxiliary Son’s of Italy; recording secretary of St. Anthony’s Society; and a member of the CSEA Retirees.
Along with her sisters, Helen enjoyed spending time in the kitchen baking & cooking for family & friends especially during the holiday seasons. She loved playing bingo and in her younger years could find a game nearly every night. Helen enjoyed “games of chance” such as “scratch-off” lotto tickets and visiting the casinos in Atlantic City and Salamanca. In her younger years she enjoyed visiting her husband’s family in New York City and spending time at Coney Island. She also cherished the many years that she & her family spent at their cottage on Conesus Lake (near a cottage owned by former New York Yankee great, Phil Rizzuto).
Helen was married on August 28, 1948 to Harold Robbins who died in 1982. She was also preceded in death by her son, Peter Robbins who died in 2020; 2 brothers & their wives, Peter (Betty) Colomaio and Matt (Mary) Colomaio; her sister & husband, Domenica “Maggie” Tony Montemarino; brothers-in-laws, Ezio Fiacco and Joseph “Muzzy” DiCosimo.
Surviving are 2 sisters, Mary Fiacco of Hornell and Rose DiCosimo of Hornell; her daughter-in-law, Patricia “Patti” Robbins of Hornell; 2 grandsons, Mike (Kristina) Robbins of Hornell and Brian (Shasta) Robbins of Moore, SC; 2 great-grandsons, Connor Robbins and Theoden “Theo” Robbins; several nieces, nephews & cousins.
The family of Helen J. Robbins will receive friends on Friday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 9:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Helen’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to Updyke’s Willow Ridge, 131 Hornell St., Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
A big “THANK-YOU” from Helen’s family to the staff at Updyke’s and also the kind folks at CareFirst Hospice for making Helen’s final days peaceful and dignified. Your kindness and professionalism is truly appreciated and will never be forgotten!
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.