Stella Helen Tarulli

Stella Helen Tarulli, age 88, of Canton, Georgia, and formerly of Dover, Ohio died peacefully, Friday, June 12, 2026, while in the care of Chapters Living of Canton.

Born in Goshen Township, Ohio on February 4, 1938, Helen was a daughter of the late Glenn Snyder Hykes and Lillian June Lillibridge.

After graduating from Conotton Valley High School in 1955, she met and married Thomas Tarulli on November 6, 1960. Thomas, a member of the United States Navy, was stationed in Cuba, where Helen worked as a secretary on the naval base. They later relocated to Toms River, New Jersey and Alameda, California before his retirement and the family settling in the Tuscarawas Valley, a place Helen loved calling home.

She was proud of the fact the first job she ever held was in the Catalog Department of Montgomery Ward where she was a manager. Once settled back in Dover after Tom’s retirement from the Navy, Helen worked for Burger King and later joined the staff of Dover City Schools where she worked in the cafeteria, and went on to work as a member of the custodial staff, a position she stayed with until her retirement.

Helen was known as an avid reader, a frequenter of Dover Library, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend who was unique and enjoyed being around her people, especially her friends at the Tuscarawas YMCA as a participant of their various programs. She enjoyed sewing. She also attended St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover for many years.

Surviving are her children, Anne (Mike) Ambrose of Canton, Georgia, and Bill (Robert Faux) Tarulli of Kennesaw, Georgia; her granddaughters, Georgia and Charlotte Ambrose; a brother, Richard (Mary) Hykes of Richmond, Virginia as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years who died in 1996; a beloved infant sister, Lewis Grace Hykes; and two brothers, Glenn “Bud” Hykes, and Thomas Hykes.

In keeping with Helen’s wishes, cremation will take place with a private burial service to be held in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia. The Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia is handling arrangements.