Helen Louise (Sands) Giuliani passed away peacefully at her home in Mesa Dec. 11, 2021 at age 92. She was born Feb 22, 1929 in Branson, Mo. to Harvey and Mearl (Compton) Sands. Helen’s parents died within 3 days of each other when Helen was 5 years old so her sisters, her brother and herself were raised by her grandparents on their farm in Branson. She had wonderful memories of growing up on the farm. Helen followed her older sister Betty to California with her young son Larry where she met her future husband Alfred Giuliani. They were married July 4, 1955 and their son Steven was born 2 years later. The family moved to Arizona in 1967 and settled in Mesa. They enjoyed camping and fishing together. Later Al and Helen would spend every summer traveling in their motorhome. They were married 43 years when Al died in 1998. Helen wanted to stay busy after Al’s death so she became a greeter at Wal-Mart. She was really good at spotting shoplifters so her boss made her the trainer. She enjoyed her job and loved sharing the stories of her apprehensions. Helen loved her dogs and rescued many over the years. They ate like kings! Her niece Marsha Perry was her angel and caregiver for the last years of her life. She took care of Helen with love and respect and we will never be able to thank her enough.
Helen is survived by her son Steve (Kathy), her granddaughter Carrie Boyd Nicholas and her great grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband Alfred, her sisters Betty Ross and Mary James, her brother Melvin (Bud) Sands and her son Larry Boyd.
A small graveside service was held Monday, Dec. 20th, 2021 at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Arizona Humane Society or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Steve and Kathy my heart goes out to you for your loss. Their family is all together now and may they find peace in Heaven. Aunt Helen was a very gracious woman. She took care of me and my sisters a few rimes when my parents were splitting up as did her sister Mary. We weren’t the easiest kids to say the least, but she put up with us anyway and gave us the love we needed. She was always so bubbly and full of life. We would all go camping and tubing down the river in Arizona and I will always remember her laugh. I will miss her.