Helen Zelina, 95, Saint Ann's Lodge Member

A first-generation American, Helen was born in Lorain, Ohio, on November 1, 1912, and resided in Lorain most of her life. She worked in the kitchen at St. Joseph Hospital for 15 years and briefly at Robinsons Dry Cleaners and the Lorain Garment Factory. Following her marriage to Joseph Zelina in 1949, she devoted herself to her family and is fondly remembered as a loving wife and devoted mother.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lorain and Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda. She was also a member of the American Slovak Club, St. Ann’s Lodge 114 and St. John the Baptist Lodge 228 in Lorain. While her children were in elementary school, she was an active participant in the Holy Trinity PTU, coordinating a
project to acquire equipment for the school kitchen. She was a talented cook and seamstress and enjoyed many crafts, producing beautiful braided rugs and quilts.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Joseph, in 1993, her parents Andrew and Anna Luca, brothers, Andrew Luca and John Luca, and sisters, Anna Dzambik, Margaret McManus, and Elizabeth (Betty) Wisniewski. She is survived by two daughters, Sue Rushton and her husband Tim of Vero Beach, Florida, and Joanne Martinez and her husband Marty, of Buda, Texas, with whom she made her home the last 9 years. She is also survived by five grand-children: Theresa Rushton of Vero Beach, Florida, Richard Rushton of Bradenton, Florida, Veronica Martinez, Joseph Martinez, and Miguel Martinez and wife Brandi of Kyle Texas, and one great-granddaughter, Keira Lucia Martinez.