Helen Elizabeth Zalonis was born in St. Edward, Nebraska, where she lived until 17 when she moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. She married there and raised three children. When her marriage ended she and her children moved to California. She then met Joe Zalonis and remarried. She worked for the naval department and retired after 23 years of service. She was an active and beloved member of the Pacific Breeze Baptist Church in Carlsbad. She also volunteered at Tri-City Hospital where she donated over 10,000 hours helping people and knitting baby caps.
She is preceded in death by her daughter Karen Lunny in 1990 and her husband in 1996. She is survived by her daughter Sandra Jo Shelton and her son James Zalonis. She had 7 grandchildren Susie, Lunny, Robert Lunny, Christy Joy, Adrinn Chellton, Brandon Zalonis, Adam Zalonis and Sarah Zalonis, and also 6 great-grandchildren Jiancarlo Rivera, Curtis Lunny, Brad Lunny, Cole Joy, Destyni Kermode and Taylor Chellton.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Pacific Breeze Baptist Church, 3780 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad, California 92008.