Rosemary Lisa Helou

rosemary helou
ROSEMARY LISA HELOU (neé TOZZI)

Real Estate Agent, News Writer

March 1, 1944 - September 17, 2021

Rosemary Lisa Helou, 77, died unexpectedly of complications from heart disease at her home in Vienna on September 17. Mrs. Helou was born at her family's home in Magnolia, Ohio, on March 1, 1944, to industrious Italian-American parents. She grew up in Waynesburg, Ohio, and often regaled her children with stories of the wonders of small town life in the 1950s and the family grocery store that her parents owned. She earned her bachelor's degree in Journalism at The Ohio State University, eventually moving to Washington, D.C., in 1967 where she worked at ABC News. Rosemary met her future husband, Raja, at ABC News and they were married in 1969. She held various jobs before devoting herself to nurturing and raising her two children, and later developed a successful career in real estate, working at Shannon & Luchs, Weichert Realtors and most recently, Long & Foster in Vienna.

Rosemary was driven by a strong sense of justice and fairness, and was proud of her family's Italian heritage and dedicated work ethic. She embodied the midwestern ideals of honesty, integrity and hard work, and was a true Ohioan. She was a deeply empathetic person, and volunteered her time in support of Palestinian refugees and numerous liberal causes. She was a phenomenal, self-taught cook who hosted her family at every holiday. Rosemary loved cooking family meals, collecting art, gardening, interior design, antiquing and always kept up with current events. Her dry wit will be missed. She delighted in having her family nearby, and in being a mother and grandmother. On weekends, 'Nonna' often could be found on the sidelines of her grandsons' soccer games.

Rosemary was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Raja, on March 29, 2007. She is survived by her children, Alexandra (Justin) and Tarek (Sarah); five wonderful grandsons, Raja, Luca, Laith, Leighton and Ryan; her brother, Jim Tozzi of Vienna, and his wife, Barbara, nephew, Rik, and niece, Ann; nephews Alexander and Souheil Helou of Los Angeles, and their families; and many loving relatives, close friends and colleagues. There will be a small service for family members. Rosemary's family will notify friends and loved ones of future plans for a celebration of her life. Memorial donations in Rosemary's name may be made to Palestine Children's Relief Fund at https://www.pcrf.net or Planned Parenthood at https://www.plannedparenthood.org. Friends are invited to view and sign the family guestbook at www.moneyandking.com

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  1. Mrs. Helou was truly a woman ahead of her time. May her family and loved ones be comforted knowing that her story continues to inspire compassion and kindness.

  2. My husband and I extend our sincerest condolences to the family. Your mom will be missed for her friendship, sense of humor, knowledge and recipe ideas from across the globe!

  3. She will always be remembered as Rosie Tozzi with fondness. I enjoyed her friendship during school years and our croquet games in her backyard. Jim Andreini

  4. I will miss Rosemary, my sister in law of my heart. Family thankfully can be more than blood. You and Raja will always be in my heart!

  5. I am so sorry to hear this news. My deepest sympathy to all who loved her. As Rosemary’s roommate for three of my four years at The Ohio State University, it was a joy to have known her and her family in Ohio. She was a delightful and talented person and I continue to have fond memories of the times we shared together. May your memories bring you peace as you grieve. Blessings, Sharon (Augenstein) Sauer.

  6. My sincere condolences to Alexandra and Tarek and Rosemary’s other loved ones. Rosemary was my OSU roommate and a good friend for many years. Our paths diverged for a while, but thankfully we met again in DC a few times before the pandemic. We talked like we had never been apart… a measure of true friends. I will miss her.

  7. My heartfelt condolences to Rosemary’s family, I am so sad to hear of her sudden passing. Rosemary helped me so much in the past few years. I thank her for her advise and guidance, she was generous with her time. I will miss our conversations immensely. God bless you.

  8. What a joy to have known Rosemary. I feel that she was present in so many special moments in my life. I will miss her smile and laugh. My sincere condolences to her precious family she loved so dearly.

  9. Condolences to the whole family, but especially to Alexandra and Tarek. Your mom (and your whole family) was a wonderful across-the-street neighbor on Hurst Street. Everything the obituary says is apt, especially the sense of justice and the dry wit! I cherish my memories of Rosemary, and wish you comfort and peace in your time of great loss. Arnold Bradford

  10. Our deepest condolences to Alexandra and Tarek and the family on this unexpected loss. Rosemary and Raja were dear friends since the 1970s. We now will miss them both. Rosemary did us the best favor ever–found us our first home, which we have loved for over 36 years. May God comfort Alexandra, Tarek, and the whole family in this time of loss, and may her memory be eternal. Kamal and Helen Samhan

  11. I am so very sorry about Rosemary’s passing. We met at Weichert in 2004 and she was always so welcoming, kind, and helpful to me. And she had the best laugh! It was so infectious, she’d get everyone around her laughing too. I’ve randomly run into her now and then and have always been greeted with her big beautiful smile. I’ll always remember Rosemary. Prayers for peace going up right now for her and her family. Ann Petree

  12. So sorry for your loss. She was a great lady! I was next door neighbor to Igino and Katharine. Prayers to the family in the difficult days ahead. Thinking of you.

  13. As manager of both Shannon & Luchs, and Weichert, Realtors, in Vienna, VA, I hired Rosemary as an Agent in the early 1980’s. She stayed working with me until I retired in 2004. She was not only a TERRIFIC Real Estate Agent, but was a WONDERFUL PERSON! Her passing was a Great Loss to her family, friends and the community. Tarek and Alexandra, we shall all miss her. She was a GREAT Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Soccer Mom, Realtor and Friend! May she RIP! – George W. (Wally) Adamson, Colonel, USA (Ret.)

  14. Rosemary and I met in our first grade class at Waynesburg School and were classmates for 16 years through OSU graduation. Afterward she moved away and we saw each other once every 5 years at class reunions. Every reunion we would have a conversation that was as easy as it had been when we were children. I’m sorry we didn’t stay more in touch. Luckily, after she hadn’t responded to several emails, she insisted on a personal phone call last spring and we talked for a good hour. She will be missed. John Ionno North Canton, Ohio


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