Helen M. Zekanoski

Helen was born in Bayonne, NJ, to the late John and Mary (Chomko) Rusinko. In 1948, she graduated from Bayonne Hospital School of Nursing. She then joined the U.S. Air Force where she went on to graduate from the U.S. Air Force School of Aviation Medicine.

A veteran of the Korean War, she served as a flight nurse and was discharged in 1951 with the rank of Lieutenant. In 2008 she was chosen Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day Parade in honor of her service as a nurse during the Korean War. Her career in nursing included positions at Bayonne Hospital, Woonsocket Hospital, and St. Antoine Hospice Care in Blackstone. From 1969 until she retired in 1991, Helen was the school nurse at Blackstone Millville Regional High School.

Actively involved in St. Augustine's Catholic Church since moving to Millville with her family nearly 50 years ago, Helen participated in virtually every aspect of the church's community service. For seven years, she was a member of St. Augustine's Pastoral Council, representing the concerns of the Blackstone-Millville Food Pantry. As one of the original organizers of the Food Pantry, Helen organized the volunteer staff and was active in its fundraising efforts. This year she volunteered to be a member of the St. Augustine's 125th Anniversary Planning Committee.

For the past four years, Helen was a member of the Homebound Ministry, making personal visits to all of St. Augustine's homebound parishioners. For sixteen years, she was on the Bereavement Ministry, assisting with the reception arrangements and serving as co-chair.

Her most extensive commitment to her church was her forty years as a member of St. Monica's Guild. For three years Helen served as President and over time she held office as Vice President, and Social Secretary. During her membership, she volunteered for innumerable committees and special events, organizing monthly bake sales and Christmas caroling for the homebound, to name just two. It would be impossible to name all the parish's special fundraising events at which Helen has volunteered, at one of the most recent she helped on the Refreshment Committee for St. Augustine's annual "Rafflemania."

Helen's community involvement has been just as extensive as her commitment to the church. Her interest in Millville's history was evident in her membership as an officer for 22 years in the J. G. Fitzgerald Historical Society Inc. and as trustee of the Chestnut Street Meeting House and Cemetery Association. She was a member of the Millville Senior Center Building Committee, the Millville Senior Club, and the Millville Women's Club.

Helen leaves her sister Anna Funk of Bryans Road, Maryland; her children John and his wife Shireen Zekanoski of Gilroy, CA, Walter and his wife Karen Gulbrandsen of Providence, Mariane and her husband Charles Broadhurst of Uxbridge, Mark and his wife Karen Zekanoski of Millville, and Lynda and her husband Tom Petrowicz of Millville; her grandchildren Katherine, Alexander, Jozef, Shannon, Duncan, Michael, Jessica, Jake, Aimee, and Heidi; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was loved by many friends.

Her Funeral will be Tuesday at 8:45A.M. from the Kubaska Funeral Home,
33 Harris Ave. Woonsocket, RI with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. in
St. Augustine's Church . Lincoln St. Millville. Burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery
Blackstone. Relatives & Friends are invited. Visitation hour are Monday from
4:00 to 8:00 P.M.