Helen Fazio; Sister of Former Hostage Cicippio

Helen Fazio, 72, the sister of former hostage Joseph Cicippio. Fazio, weakened in recent years by her battle with cancer, had vowed to live until she could hug her youngest brother again. Her desire became known worldwide last spring when her doctors and nurses sent a letter to Cicippio’s kidnapers. The letter, pleading for his release, was published in Lebanese newspapers. Cicippio, 61, was released Dec. 2 after being held more than five years by Shiite Muslim kidnapers. He arrived a few days later at his brother Tom’s house in Norristown, Pa. After making his way through the thousands of well-wishers who had converged on the neighborhood, he went inside, where Mrs. Fazio was waiting for him. She grabbed him and said: “(This is) the best day of my life.” In Norristown on Thursday.