Nora Jane Helfrich's Obituary
Nora Jane Helfrich (D’Alessandro), 74, of South Park, PA, passed away on October 10, 2023 surrounded by family in her home.
Nora was born in Pittsburgh to Ernest R & Mary D’Alessandro, Sr. on October 28, 1948. She was married to John R. Helfrich, Sr and would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this month.
Nora loved the holidays and always planned extravagant get-togethers for her family and friends. Halloween was one of her favorites—she was known to have the best Halloween parties for the community, her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Decorations came with her love for the holidays, too. During Christmas, you could find her home decorated with Mackenzie Childs, as well as her beloved Mark Roberts fairies lining her Christmas tree. Nora was an accomplished tole painter, and many knew her love for crafts. Her crafting talents ranged from painting, crocheting, wreath-making, and much more. Many received her crocheted dish towels as special gifts. Nora was an avid reader, with her genre of choice being mystery, especially murder mysteries.
Above all, Nora loved spending and dedicating time with her family. Nora and her 6 sisters had their special ‘Sister Day Weekends,’ She always made sure that her grandchildren enjoyed their time with her—whether she was leading them through Kennywood, or driving them to the Greene Cove Yacht Club for the weekend.
During her time working for TCS EMS, Nora held every position. She served as a volunteer, a part-time employee, a full-time employee, a supervisor, and a Supervisor of Support Services. In October 2000, Nora was named director.
Women-led directors in EMS are few and far between in the public safety industry. Nora retired from Tri-Community South EMS in 2021 after nearly a 42-year career. During her career, she worked her way up from a volunteer, a part-time employee, a full-time employee, a supervisor, and a Supervisor of Support Service before assuming the role of director in October 2000.
Nora’s legacy is nothing short of a trailblazing victory for females entering into the public safety field. Throughout her career, she intently listened, took accountability for her decisions and actions, and brushed off scrutiny along the way to accomplish impactful and actionable systems and solutions in EMS for Tri-Community South EMS and beyond.
Nora received many awards and recognitions during her career. Some of the most notable are:
In April 2006, Tri-Community South became the first EMS system in Allegheny County, second in Pennsylvania and 100th in North America to be granted accreditation by the Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). This accreditation was renewed in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021.
In August 2007, Tri-Community South was named Ambulance Service of the Year by the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council (PEHSC).
November 2008 Emergency Medical Services Institute Recognition Award for Outstanding Contributions to EMS in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
September 2011 Pennsylvania EMS Provider Foundation Star of Life Award recipient.
October 2021 right before Nora retired, the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council presented Nora with the 2021 Dr. George Moerkirk Memorial Contribution to EMS Award.
September 2023, The Sugar and Mac Fine Memorial EMS Leadership Award. This award honors an EMS leader who exhibits the drive and tenacious effort to resolve important EMS issues or bring about positive change to the Pennsylvania EMS system, often at great personal or professional sacrifice.
Most recently, she was named a Kentucky Colonel by state Governor Andy Beshear.
Nora is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest R. & Mary J. D’Alessandro Sr.; brother Ernest R. D’Alessandro, Jr. (his surviving spouse Marjorie); sisters Anna (Chickie) Pitschke, Amelia Partington, and Barbara Maffei (her surviving spouse Richard); brother-in-law Robert Pitschke.
Nora is survived by her husband John R. Helfrich, Sr. (Jack); mother of John R. Helfrich, Jr. (Traci) Richard Helfrich (Amy) and Matthew Helfrich (Kristi); grandmother of Lucas, Lily, and Connor Helfrich, and Olivia Lannin; sister of Mary Jo Kessler (Greg), Chris Gumpp (Chad), and Maura Ransom (Don). She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
In Nora’s words….”10-4 Over and out good buddy!”
Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 2 pm – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm and Friday, October 13 from 1 pm – 2 pm at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, 15236. A funeral service will follow visitation on Friday at 2 pm in the funeral home’s chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Canterbury IPU Family Hospice at UPMC.com/FamilyHospiceDonate, Pennsylvania EMS Provider Foundation at https://aa-pa.org/foundation/individualdonation, or Make-A-Wish at https://wish.org/.
The family of Nora Helfrich wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Canterbury IPU Family Hospice and Hospice nurse Michelle Herzog.
What’s your fondest memory of Nora?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nora?
Share a story where Nora's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nora you’ll never forget.
How did Nora make you smile?