Helen L. Quattrone

Helen Louise Quattrone

June 22, 1921 – May 25, 2021

Helen Louise Quattrone (nee Murphy) 99 of Salamanca, NY, passed peacefully Tuesday morning, May 25, 2021 at her home.

Born June 22, 1921 in South Valley, NY, she was the youngest of six children of the late Henry and Lulu Whalen Murphy. She was predeceased by her siblings Neil (Lora) Murphy, John (Marie) Murphy, Harry (Gloria) Murphy, Mary Murphy and her twin Anne (Bruno) Wojtowicz.

Helen graduated from Salamanca High School, Class of 1939.

On November 20, 1941, she married Joseph V. Quattrone, whom she had met when attending a dance where he was playing his clarinet and saxophone in the band. Six weeks after they were married, he left for the Army, where he played in the Army Band until he became a radio operator with the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater. He returned from the War in November of 1945.

Together Helen, an artist, and “Bush”, a musician created a home that was filled with love, compassion, generosity, and an enthusiasm for life. Family and friends were always around for special occasions and spontaneous visits. The household was lively.

A prolific artist her entire life, Helen Quattrone sketched on everything with whatever pen or pencil she had at hand. Newspapers, magazine, telephone books, envelopes, scraps of paper over a 70 year period were embellished with her drawings.

While raising her four children, Helen created paper dolls for her daughters, drew designs for their bedrooms and outfits for special occasions, sketched scenes of favorite animals and illustrated vignettes of her childhood.

In the 1950’s, with the encouragement of her husband, she enrolled in the FAMOUS ARTISTS’ SCHOOL, a correspondence course founded by the American illustrator Norman Rockwell. In the 1960’s, she studied painting with June Meacham and became an accomplished artist in several media and genres, famous for her portraits and watercolor paintings.

Helen and her daughter, artist Trish McFadden, painted together beginning with classes taught by June Meacham. Years later they painted several Salamanca landmarks, each with her own unique style. One of the subjects was the view of City Hall from the Main St. Bridge.

They collaborated on sets for several Village Players productions, Trish designing the sets and Helen painting them. In the late 1980’s they had an Art Gallery together in Ellicottville, NY. Helen built her reputation for portraits in charcoal, pastels, watercolors and oils beginning with her Art Studio at Fentier Village in the summers of 1966-1969. Following that she did portraits at the Cattaraugus County Fair as well as at her home by appointment.

She became a prolific watercolorist painting wherever she was whether at home in Western New York, visiting New York City and the Catskills; living in California with her daughter Mary or visiting Rome, Italy to see her granddaughter Jennifer and her family.

In 2016, in honor of her 95th birthday, Helen had an art show at the Nichols School Gallery in Buffalo, NY Family and friends attended the opening followed by a party afterwards at the Ferrara’s with music, dancing, and cake and ice cream to celebrate the occasion.

Her legacy as an artist does not only exist in her huge body of work, but in her descendants, as well. Her daughter Helen “Trish” McFadden, her grandsons Ted Ferrara and Johnny McFadden all pursued degrees in art and produced their own significant work.

Helen’s legacy of art is surpassed only by her legacy of love as a beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She was adored by all who knew her because she saw and loved what made each child, each person a unique individual. That was her gift as an artist and a human being.

She is survived by her daughters Anne Marie (Mike) Ferrara of East Amherst, NY; Mary Q. Kerns; Joseph P. Quattrone of Salamanca, NY; grandchildren Jennifer L. Ferrara (Giorgio), Case Q. Kerns (Sarah), Anne E. McFadden, John E. McFadden, Donna O’Brien, Timothy Tolar (Katherine); great grandchildren Sebastian and Zachary Miano; Stella Kerns; Nolan and Nevin O’Brien and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph V. Quattrone, daughter, Helen “Trish” McFadden, and her eldest grandson, Ted J. Ferrara.

There will be no visitation.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.