HELEN DUMAS GIOIA
(February 23, 1950−October 30, 2025)
Helen Dumas Gioia, a former member of the Valparaiso school board, longtime middle-school history teacher, and active volunteer in Valparaiso civic organizations, passed away at her home in Valparaiso on October 30 following a characteristically courageous struggle with brain cancer. She was 75 years old.
A dedicated wife, mother, and volunteer, she demonstrated a lifelong commitment to organizations that supported public education, civic involvement, and community development in Valparaiso and across Indiana. Helen volunteered countless hours at a wide variety of organizations during the 50 years she lived in Valparaiso. Notably, she represented the teachers of Valparaiso Community Schools at meetings of the Indiana State Teachers Association and she was a member of the Valparaiso Chapter of Tri Kappa, an Indiana philanthropic service sorority.
In addition to her community volunteer work, Helen served on the Valparaiso Community Schools Board of Education from 1993 to 2005. Thereafter she earned her teaching certificate in 2006 and taught U.S. history at Benjamin Franklin Middle School until 2020. Most recently, she served as an Adjunct Faculty member of Valparaiso University, where she supervised student-teachers throughout northwest Indiana.
Born in 1950 in Rensselaer, Indiana, Helen was the eldest of four children of Thomas B. and Eileen Dumas (née Bower). From a young age, she took an avid interest in politics and current affairs. At Rensselaer High School, she was a member of the debate team and writing and drama clubs and was editor of the school’s yearbook. She was valedictorian of the class of 1968.
Later that year, Helen was one of only 25 women to be admitted to the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., from which she graduated in 1972. While in Washington, she worked for U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd, who was then the Democratic majority whip, and later for the American Council on Education.
In 1973, Helen married Daniel A. Gioia at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Rensselaer. They moved to Valparaiso in 1975, where they soon became active parishioners at St. Paul Catholic Church. Over the years, Helen served on numerous committees, taught religion (CCD), restructured the religious education programs for middle school students, and most recently served as a eucharistic minister.
Deeply involved in her children’s extracurricular interests, Helen dedicated her time and considerable sewing skills to supporting their school activities. She was equally involved in their athletic endeavors, including football, baseball, and especially soccer. She and her husband were inducted into the Hoosier State Games Hall of Fame in 1996 for organizing soccer tournaments with record-setting participation in the 1990s.
A four-time cancer survivor prior to her last illness, Helen actively reached out to support others with cancer following her first diagnosis in 1991 and was featured on the Pink Ribbon Society calendar for breast cancer survivors in 2004.
She is survived by her husband Dan, an Of Counsel attorney with Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP in Valparaiso; a daughter, Martha Picarello (Anthony) of Arlington, Virginia; three sons: Thomas Gioia (Ashlyn) of Atlanta, Georgia; David Gioia (Stephanie) of White Salmon, Washington; and Carl Gioia (Diana) of Louisville, Kentucky; 11 grandchildren; a brother, Edward Dumas (Anne) of Westfield, Indiana; and a sister, Ann Dumas-Swanson (Stevenson) of Pelham, New York. A second brother, Charles, predeceased her.
Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 Harrison Boulevard, Valparaiso. Internment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen’s memory to Cancer Research and Innovation at RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center in Chicago or the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security
GUESTBOOK
What a grand tribute to a Beautiful Lady - Helen Loved her Family - they are her greatest accomplishment. She also left her mark in this world with all of the young peoples’ lives she touched in her years of teaching. As they got ready for graduation, many of them declared Helen “their Favorite Teacher “. That’s a special tribute in itself. She loved life, and she lived her life to the fullest. She will live always in the hearts and memories of of everyone who knew her and loved her. May she rest in peace. -Augusta Gaskins
I am so sorry for Helen’s passing. She was a wonderful person totally committed to helping Valparaiso kids get an excellent education. She will be missed and fondly remembered. -Jon Groth
Helen was a very strong and loving person. The friendship I shared with her I will always treasure. To her family I send mi más sentido pésame. Helen Dumas Gioia walked the walk. -Charles “Biff” Geiss & Barbara Geiss
We knew and admired Helen Gioia as an impressive and loving women! We were so lucky to have met her! -Angela Achim Benjack
Helen and I were on the debate team at Rensselaer H.S. I always admired her intelligence, breadth of knowledge and her spirit. She comes from a wonderful family of civic minded citizens who were leaders in our community. Rest in peace Helen. -Judge Patricia Riley (Ret.)
Helen always made me laugh and we did great projects together like changing the light fixtures. Her enthusiasm was contagious. She will have a special place in my heart. You now know what it is all about! Be at peace. -Lori Stebler
When I was little, one of my favorite places to visit was the Gioia household. Helen always made me feel like I was part of the family when my parents were out of town. And while I spent much of my time with Carl, David, Martha, and Tom, I most valued the little conversations in the Gioia kitchen when it was just between Helen and I. These talks were less frequent as I grew up and moved around the country, but we would occasionally cross paths and I would immediately feel like I was back in the Gioia house again. Helen was part of our family. My father, mother and I will miss her greatly. -Andrew Gambel
Dear Gioia Family, we send you our heartfelt condolences. From her wonderful obituary, she obviously made such a positive difference in people's lives. So many were blessed to share her love and life. May you always hold her in your hearts. Our thoughts are with you. Peace and Love in All That Is. -Mark and Lori Swain
I was saddened to hear of Helen’s death. I didn’t know about her brain cancer, so it was a real shock. I very much value my junior high and high school friendship with Helen. And I fondly remember visiting her at Georgetown U. It was so good to reconnect with her when I was back in Indiana at the time of our 50th high school reunion. I’ve made a donation in her memory to Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security. My condolences to all the family. -Luellen Ramey
Our heartfelt sympathy on the passing of your mother. Though we never met her, it is apparent in her daughter and family what an educated, compassionate, giving , woman of faith she was. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute. Surviving cancer so many times, didn’t keep her from giving the best of herself to impact so many lives in such a positive manner. She chose to serve and did it with passion, humility and grace. May she now bask in the light of the kingdom of God. Rest in peace faithful servant. -Coyra Calienes family
