Helen Maida Zemanek

The loving and kind soul of Helen Maida Zemanek, 81, went to be with our Lord on August 23, 2016 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Southside, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Jacksonville, Florida on April 1, 1935 to the late Georges Maida and Della Kassab Maida Monsor. Helen devoted her life to her family and a passion for her Syrian heritage. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1953 and studied at FCCJ and JU. She was self-employed at Maida’s grocers then the worked at Kraft Foods for 25 years becoming the first woman in the U.S. to become a Kraft sales rep. She belonged to the Syrian Women’s Charity Society, Syrian American Club, member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a member of Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, the Epping Forest Yacht & Club, the River Club, the Mandarin Moose Club #42 and the Bull & Bears Investment Club. Helen loved cruising around the world with her Husband and friends. Helen had many friends at Gate Petroleum Co. where her husband, Louis was the Corporate Treasurer and Secretary. She worked at The Gate River Run and helped in the St. Joseph’s Reverse Draw. Helen really enjoyed annual trips to Texas for the Luza and Zemanek family reunions and she enjoyed fishing, gardening and playing Skip-Bo. Helen is preceded in death by her brother, Abraham George Maida. She leaves to cherish her memories her loving husband of 32 years, Louis M. Zemanek; sister, Yvonne Monsor Cotton (Fred); sister-in-law, Helena Risha Maida; step-son, Louis M. Bubba (Colleen) Zemanek; step-daughters, Fawn Dutton (Doug) and Doris Chmelar (Paul); grandchildren, Haley Dutton and Christopher Chmelar (Carly); great-grandson, Cai Chmelar; niece, Terrie Maida Curtis; nephews, Tony Maida (Faten), Chuck Maida (Beverly); great-nephew, Daniel Curtis (Ashley); great-nieces, Terra Curtis and Mariana Maida; great-great-nephew, Holden Curtis. She will miss her close relatives; Charles & Joyce Zemanek, Cecilia Zemanek Whelan (Patrick), Anton & Willie Ann Luza, Tracey Luza, and all nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and many friends in Bryan and College Station, Texas. Active Pallbearers will be Tony Maida, Chuck Maida, D.J. Curtis, Yousee Salama, Raef Salama, Louis M. Zemanek, Jr., Paul Chmelar and Christopher Chmelar. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Historic Catholic Church, 4214 Loretto Road Jacksonville, FL. 32223 with burial to follow in the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or a Charity of one’s choice in honor of Helen. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL. 32223, www.hgmandarin.com, 904-288-0025.