Helen K. Costa

Helen Katherine Costa passed away on June 3, 2011. Helen was born in Vallejo, California, on July 6, 1917 to James and Irene Costa. Her family moved to Fresno when Helen was a young girl, and she remained a Fresno resident for nearly 90 years. Helen graduated from Fresno City College and worked as an executive secretary, first in the retail industry and thereafter, until her retirement, for the City of Fresno.

Helen was a warm and gracious woman, beloved and appreciated by her family and friends. Until his death in 1996, her brother Roy was her constant companion, and Roy and Helen enjoyed traveling together throughout California and the western states. She will be remembered as a woman who lived to help others. Her generosity and compassion was well known by all who knew her, and her presence in their lives will be dearly missed.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved parents, James and Irene Costa, and her two brothers James and Roy Costa.

Helen is survived by her cousins, Susan Monica Fleming of Sacramento, Stephen Harry Schmid and his wife Lori Pegg Schmid and their daughter Madeleine Nicole Schmid of San Jose, and Mimi Schmid Rogers and her husband Joseph Brown Rogers and their children, Joseph Brown Rogers, III, Dylan Amy Rogers, and Madison Rogers and their grandson, Landon Alan Harris. She is also survived by her dear friends of many years, Lillian Bizal of San Bruno and Mary Maney and Donna Bryson of Fresno.

At Helen´s request, memorial services will be private.

Remembrances may be made to The Shrine of St. Therese 855 E. Floradora Ave., Fresno, California 93728.