Helen B. Zitnik Obituary (1911 - 2012)

Helen Zitnik passed away peacefully on October 9th, 2012 in her own home and in the presence of family. She was 101 years old and would have celebrated her 102nd birthday on January 15th. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Jack M. Zitnik, to whom she was happily married for 55 years before he passed away in 1992. She leaves behind a loving daughter, Jacqueline; her son-in-law, Gerry; her two grand-daughters, Paula-Marie (husband, Matthew) and Julie-Anne; her three nephews, Richard, Billy, and Tommy, and her sister-in-law Frances, all of whom adored her to bits. Helen was born in Chicago in 1911 to parents Julia and Paul, the first of seven children; brothers John, Paul, Frank, Walter, and Theodore, and sister Dolores. After graduating high school, Helen took a position as bookkeeper at Bosch and Lomb. She met her husband, Jack, at the wedding of mutual friends, where he, a groomsmen, walked her, a bridesmaid, down the aisle. At the reception, Jack asked Helen's uncle for permission to walk Helen home, but he was refused. Nearly a year later they met again at a funeral. That time, Jack asked Helen directly if he could walk her home and she said yes. Three dates later he asked her to marry him. He had bought the ring the day after he walked her home. Jack and Helen were married on October 16th, 1937. In 1943 Helen gave birth to their daughter Jacqueline, who she raised almost single-handedly while maintaining her job at Bosch and Lomb, while her husband served overseas as a Sea Bee for the duration of WWII. When her husband returned from the war in 1945, the family moved to Indiana and then to California where Helen became a saleswoman at Sears until her retirement in 1976 at the age of 65. During that time, Helen was proud and pleased to watch her daughter graduate college, become a teacher, and start a family of her own. Helen and Jack moved to Cameron Park in 1980. In 1981 Jack was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. His one wish was to be able to stay at home rather than be sent to a care facility. Helen cared for him in their home, bravely and lovingly, for the next ten years, until his death. Helen will be remembered by friends and family as a woman of great kindness and generosity. She had a strong and independent spirit which enabled her to maintain her own home up until her death, even after recovering from cancer at age 92. Helen was an excellent cook, an artist, and an avid gardener. She was also a bit of a card sharp, who taught her granddaughters how to play poker as well as the occasional swear word. Helen had a keen wit and a great sense of humor which, along with her other qualities, left a lasting impression on everyone who met her. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. As per Helen's request, the family will hold a private memorial followed by a private interment at Golden Gate National Cemetery where she will be buried with her husband. Rest in Peace Helen, and God Bless You.