HELEN CACCIOTTOLI OBITUARY

CACCIOTTOLI, HELEN BELSHEIM After a very long illness and a valiant struggle, Helen Belsheim Cacciottoli passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital Monday night, February 13, 2006, from complications following surgery. Her husband was at her side. Helen was born in White Plains, New York, to Prof. Edmund O. Belsheim and Elizabeth Ducey Belsheim. She was a graduate of Grinnell College and the University of Iowa Law School. She moved to Portland in 1976 and married Vincent P. Cacciottoli in 1983. The Cacciottolis lived in the same house in Dunthorpe since their marriage. Helen tackled everything in life with unbridled energy, style and grace. She was the consummate planner, and there was no occasion that could not be made grander by "The Helen Touch." Her passion showed in her career as well. She was a civil rights lawyer in the South with Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and a Legal Aid attorney in the Bronx, New York and in Salem, Oregon. She had also served as the President of the Board of Directors of Neighborhood House and on the Board of Loaves and Fishes. Before becoming incapacitated by illness, Helen was an avid outdoorswoman: fly-fisherman (14 lb. Deschutes summer steelhead); saltwater big game fisherman (750 lb. black marlin, 623 lb. bluefin tuna and 500 lb. hammerhead shark); and crack pistol shot. Helen was an accomplished cook in her own right, but was also willing to play sous chef to her husband as he proceeded to "dirty every pot, pan and dish in the house" while knocking out one of his feasts. Helen dearly loved her dogs. She was a member of the English Foxhound Club of America and was the owner of two Westminster Dog Show Champions: Ch. Plum Run Blackjack, Best of Breed (English Foxhound) 1995 and 1996 and Ch. Kingsbury Pacific Rim of Fire "Jupiter," Best of Breed (Harrier) 1997, 1998 and 1999. She also cherished her nonshow dogs: Olaf (Basset Hound); Jackson (Beagle); Giacomo, aka "Jocko" (Harrier); and Gawain (Harrier). In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sister, Karen Olney of Longview, Washington, her brother, Edmund O. Belsheim, Jr. of Seattle, Washington, her four nieces, one nephew and her beloved Harrier, Gawain. Although illness ravaged her body, it never, ever broke her noble spirit. She remained indomitable to the end. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 21, between noon and 8:00 PM, at Caldwell's, Hennessey, Goetsch & McGee Funeral Home, 20 NE 14th Avenue. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, February 22, at St. Clare's Church, 8535 SW 19th Avenue. A reception will follow the service. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 333 SW Skyline Blvd. All those wishing to attend the interment are most certainly welcome. Remembrances to the Prof. Edmund O. Belsheim Chair at Lewis and Clark Law School or Neighborhood House.

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