To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 8/28/19 • Approved: 8/29/19 • Last Updated: 9/1/19 • R1276718-G1276716-S3
Nunzio
Sept 4, 1914 - May 23, 2001
Marie
DEC 21, 1924 - Mar 29, 2018
Marie Berthe (Mimi) DeCologne Messina, 94, of Helena passed away peacefully on March 29th, 2019 at Helena Regional Medical Center. Mimi was born December 21st, 1924, in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France, to the late Rose and Adrien DeCologne.
Mimi’s life was forever changed by the German invasion of France in 1940. She and her family, like countless others, endured the Nazi occupation of her native land until Allied Forces, led by the United States, liberated France in 1944. After liberation, Mimi met the love of her life, Nunzio T. Messina, then serving as a Staff Sergeant with the US Army. A wartime courtship ensued. Following a lovely French wedding in her hometown, Mimi came to the United States and started her new life in Helena, Aransas. It became her beloved hometown. Mimi was always proud to have become an American citizen.
Mimi leaves two sons, Adrian Messina, Nunzio Messina Jr., a daughter Bernadette Messina, and one grandson Emerson Messina - all of Helena, AR. Mimi is preceded in death by her husband, Nunzio T. Messina Sr., and her two sisters Paulette DeCologne Barsato and Jacqueline DeCologne both of Châtillon-sur-Seine.
In her final months, Mimi received wonderful care from Crestpark Helena Nursing Home, and a special thank you to Virginia Brewer, a caretaker.
Visitation will be held Monday, April 1st at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home from 5:30-6:30pm with a Rosary following. The funeral mass will be held Tuesday, April 2nd at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Helena, Arkansas. The family requests that memorials be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church. Roller-Citizens has charge of arrangements 508 Plaza West Helena (870)572-2571. View and sign online guestbook. www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
Contributed on 8/28/19 by sandycurry10
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 1276718