Helen Ann Starosciak

Helen Ann (Skalla) Starosciak, 88, of Concord, CA, passed peacefully at her home on the morning of August 18 surrounded by her family. She died on the Feast Day of St. Helen.

Born May 22, 1935 to Helen (Rapach) Skalla and Joseph Skalla in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the oldest of five children, Helen graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Perth Amboy in 1953. On September 6, 1958, she wed Allan Starosciak, beginning a marriage of over 64 years. Together they raised four children.

In Perth Amboy, Helen was active in her church as a catechist and as a girl scout leader who loved to chair the cookie sales. In 1976 she and the family followed Allan to Concord, CA as he continued his work at Chevron Oil Company. She became active with Birthright of Concord and spent more than 18 years counseling pregnant mothers and many more years following that as a bookkeeper and a resource to the organization. After Allan retired in 1995, Helen and Allan became active as catechists at their church for 26 years and as Eucharistic Ministers for the San Miguel nursing home.

One of Helen’s greatest joys was the time spent with her children and her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Allan; her brother Joe and wife Carolyn; sister Mary Ann and husband Rich (Hall); daughter Patty and husband Kevin (Corbett); daughter Nancy and husband Dan (Zavesky); son Allan and wife Joyce; daughter Marie and husband Ron (Mahlman); and grandchildren: Michael (and Christina) Estopinal; Jamie (and Will) Gunderson; Christine, David, and Nikki Zavesky; Sam and Crissy Starosciak; Aaron (and Colleen), Ryan, and Kevin (and Lora) Mahlman; and great-granddaughter Elizabeth Estopinal.

Helen was always busy using her hands. She enjoyed sewing, baking, and various household repairs – even fixing electrical outlets. She considered herself a domestic engineer. In her later years she experienced great joy in painting. In seven years Helen painted 175 pictures.

Over the past 10 years, Helen’s motto was “Give me flowers while I’m alive and make mass offerings after I’m dead.”  Also, two of her favorite charities were Birthright of Concord and EWTN.

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