Helen P. Kozak

A much loved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend, lost her long struggle with cancer on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. Born in 1929 to Anne V. (Conor) and James F. Kneeland, Sr., Helen grew up and was educated in Grafton, MA. In 1951 she married her childhood sweetheart, Dr. George P. Kozak. As a young wife and mother, she travelled the country as he served in the US Army Med. Corp. and pursued his medical career. They returned to Boston and settled in Needham to raise their family. As he built his medical practice, Helen embarked on her life's work outside the home as a volunteer in many charitable causes and directing a private family foundation offering hundreds of diabetic children the opportunity to enjoy summer camp & learn to manage their disease. Dr. Kozak survives his beloved wife of 58 years. A devoted mother, loving and much loved, she is also survived by her daughters, Anne K. of Needham and Patricia M. and her husband, David Ellrich of Manchester, MA. She is lovingly survived by her brothers, James F. Kneeland and his wife Ellen & John T. Kneeland & his wife, Theresa all of Grafton; & her sister, Margaret Summers & her husband George J. of Upton. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Orzeck. She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Helen Demague & her husband William of Whitinsville & Joyce Kozak of Uxbridge, along with many much loved nieces & nephews, their children & grandchildren, cousins, & countless friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 9th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 502 Washington St., Wellesley, with burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley. Relatives & friends are respectfully invited to call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8th, at the J.S. Waterman & Sons & Waring Funeral Home, 592 Washington St., WELLESLEY. Memorial donations may be directed to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Fund for Multiple Myeloma Research, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115. J.S. Waterman & Sons & Waring Wellesley781 235-4110