Helen L. Zschech

ZSCHECH, Helen L. 83, of Tucson, AZ passed away on February 28, 2011. She was born Elena Filomena Leby in what is now the barrio section of downtown Tucson, to Alfred Leby and Maria Luisa Fontes Leby. Helen was a lifelong resident of Tucson. She was preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters, Lydia, Mary and Grace; her three brothers, Alfred, Leonard and Leopoldo, and her loving husband, Richard. Helen began working at 15 years old, taking part-time jobs from 1943-1949, as a sales clerk, secretary, stenographer, and bookkeeper. She was a graduate of Tucson High School, Class of '46. She began working full-time at the American Red Cross in 1950. While at the Red Cross Helen was a First-Aid Instructor, Spanish interpreter, notary as well as an office supervisor, teletype operator, bookkeeper, caseworker for the non-English speaking clients and supervisor to the Military Families Department. She left the Red Cross in 1966 to work for Hollis Brainard, M.D. as his bookkeeper and secretary. In 1974, Helen was hired by the University of Arizona and worked as an administrative assistant in the Romance Languages Department until her retirement in 1989. She was married for 51 years to the love of her life, Richard Henry Zschech, who preceded her in death in 2003. Helen is survived by her two daughters, Betty Lou Schinkel and Debbie Jean Donnelly; her son-in-law, Jeffrey Schinkel, and her dear friends Elvira Vega, Clara Garcia, Mary Ellen and Lawrence Duffy, Kay Peters, Virginia Robertson, Richard and Alma Lindberg, Diane Bradfield and Lynn Evenchik. Her family wishes to that Sherri Schamel of Caring Cooperatives from he invaluable help and guidance as well as Casa de la Luz Hospice. The Staff, CNA's and nurses at La Rosa Skilled Nursing are also much appreciated, along with Dr. William Nevin and Dr. Tenney Kentro. Cremation by HEATHER MORTUARY and burial at Tucson Memorial Park East Lawn Cemetery.