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HELEN LENKO TRUSKETT

1929 - 2020

HELEN LENKO TRUSKETT obituary, 1929-2020, Yorktown, VA

BORN

1929

DIED

2020

FUNERAL HOME

Amory Funeral Home - Yorktown

410 Grafton Drive

Yorktown, Virginia

HELEN TRUSKETT Obituary

Seaford, Va. - Helen Lenko Truskett passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020, at home with family at her side. Born in July 1929 in Newburgh, NY, the fifth child of Ukrainian immigrants Pauline Balasz and George Lenko, Helen had a wonderful childhood in Depression-era Newburgh, where her parents achieved their American dream while working as a seamstress and starting a successful window washing business. Helen was an accomplished student and athlete at Newburgh Free Academy, graduating in 1947. The first in her family to go to college, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1951. Over the next 10 years, she taught elementary education at the West Point Post School at the US Military Academy and moonlighted as a physical education teacher at Ladycliff College in nearby Highland Falls, NY. Helen took advantage of her summer breaks, embarking on solo trips to Europe and the Middle East in the 1950s, unusual for women of her time. She also commuted to New York City for graduate work towards her master's degree at Columbia University.

Helen married 1st Lt. Willard Gene Truskett in 1958 while he was stationed at Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh. Future postings together included Langley AFB, VA; Tachikawa, Japan; O'Fallon, IL; Clark AFB, Philippines; Tehran, Iran; Kansas City, MO; and finally back to Langley. Helen and Gene both had a love of travel, continuing well into retirement. Together they were able to touch many lives both abroad and at home, frequently hosting guests from all over the world.

Helen resumed her teaching career at Poquoson Elementary School from 1974 until her retirement in the early 1990s, a combined 25-year career. She was passionate about giving her students the love of learning and a classroom experience that would well prepare them for the years ahead. Many a student was sent on the right path with only a look! She was beloved by pupils who thrived in a unique environment with funky art projects and rescued animals, including a rascally seagull who patrolled the classroom aisles and kept discipline.

A skilled artist with deep appreciation of music and dance, Helen avidly supported the arts and encouraged her children and grandchildren to find their artistic voices. Locally, she enjoyed offerings of chamber music, opera, theater and ballet, and she attended all but a few Orchesis dance concerts at the College of William and Mary for the past forty years! A lifetime learner, Helen kept abreast of the news and delighted in tackling a wide range of subjects throughout her life including Russian, Farsi, cake decorating, opera, piano, and Chinese (the latter into her 80s). She earned a 4th degree Ikebana certificate in Japan and became a Master Gardener for York County. A formidable shopper and consummate artisan, she could match or beat Martha Stewart in everything house and home. A person of great largesse, she enjoyed entertaining guests in her home and giving gifts, especially around holidays. In the eyes of many, the most prized gifts were her stylized Pysanky Ukrainian Easter eggs which she not only gave to several generations of students during her career, but to dear friends far and wide.

Helen was a devout member of the Catholic community at Olde Yorke Chapel, US Coast Guard Training Facility. She volunteered for many causes, regularly visiting St. Francis Nursing Home and working the gift shop at Mary Immaculate Hospital. She employed her flower arranging skills to benefit multiple churches and special engagements throughout her life. She volunteered for Master Gardener projects around York County. She was always there for people who needed her or her talents.

Helen held life dear and cherished her friends. She was a loving and devoted wife, extraordinary mom, and proud grandmother. She will be missed often and loved always. She leaves behind her daughter Olenna and son-in-law Steve Budd of Brewster, NY, and grandsons, Alec and Peter Budd; son Brooks and daughter-in-law Carole and granddaughters, Sienna and Flynn, of Glen Mills, PA, and nieces Paula and Ann Kurz of New Windsor, NY. She follows her husband Willard Gene Truskett, her brothers Fred and George Lenko and sisters Mary Buser and Anna Kurz.

Helen will be buried alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery after a funeral mass in the Old Post Chapel at Ft. Myer, Arlington, VA. The funeral mass and a celebration of life will take place at a later date. Arrangements are under care of Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, VA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press on May 17, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for HELEN TRUSKETT

Sponsored by Amory Funeral Home - Yorktown.

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Jim Smith

January 8, 2025

Mrs. Truskett was a teacher of mine at Poquoson Elementary, and I've thought about her often. As a teacher, she did a phenomenal job of keeping us engaged. I specifically remember the interest she showed when I sang in the talent show, and she definitely plays an influential part in my persistence with music.

While I'm sad to have learned of her embarkment on the next adventure, I'm happy she impacted me and I'm sure many others the way she did..

Fran Butterfoss

July 6, 2020

Helen was a shining light in our Olds Yorke Chapel community - her kindness and concern for others was one of her most beautiful assets. She loved children and loved sharing her knowledge and wisdom with others in a most generous way. I will always remember going to her home with my sister to learn how to make Ukranian Easter eggs - I, like many others, cherish those eggs that Helen helped me make. Peace and blessings to a most wonderful woman.

Gerri TRUSKETT

July 5, 2020

We were so sorry to hear of your Moms passing. She will be missed. We enjoyed our telephone conversations with her. I wish we had lived closer. She was a great lady.
Love, David and Gerri Truskett

Judi Major

July 5, 2020

Helen and I taught together at Poquoson Elementary from 1981-1991. I was just 22 when I started and she and I formed a lovely relationship that I always treasured. She was a very special lady that has touched so many and will be missed but remembered dearly.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Cindy Hastings

Planted Trees

Mary Frances Baker

May 25, 2020

Helen was a wonderful lady with a great sense of humor. I knew her as a fellow Master Gardener. She was active in so many programs over the years. I would see her shopping and we always had a good chat then as well as on the phone. I will miss her. The family has my deepest condolences.

May 19, 2020

My condolences to the family of this awesome lady I never had the pleasure to meet. I now see where the talents of her children were instilled. I went to Tabb with Olenna. Olenna was a beautiful dancer and gymnast, and if my memory serves me right she was in band as well. Mrs. Truskett taught her children to be fascinating and I can imagine she continued with her grandchildren. Take care of each other and cherish the impact she had on so many.

Nancy Hirschberg

May 18, 2020

Helen was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many of us. She left us with wonderful memories that we will always cherish.

May 17, 2020

So sorry to hear about your loss. You know that God and Jesus are in the best position to comfort us when we lose a loved one in death.

Nancy Culpepper

May 17, 2020

So much love to you all...

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Nancy Culpepper

Planted Trees

Carolyn Greaud

May 17, 2020

Helen was an extraordinary lady, very caring and sweet to all. Worked with her husband, Gene, a Realtor, for many years. Helen often joined us for lunch and many other events, as part of a group that met regularly. We enjoyed this amazing and wonderfully talented couple so much!

Catherine DeWeese

May 17, 2020

I was one of the lucky ones to learn from Mrs. Truskett. She gifted me the name egg 45 years ago in 4th grade and the others years later. She was a treasure!

Barbara

May 17, 2020

Mrs Truskett touched so many people's lives. She was a great teacher & really cared about her students. She will be missed. Prayers to all she left behind.

Barbara Eby

May 17, 2020

I was so sad to see this but boy did Helen live a full and wonderful life. I had her as a teacher and she was friends with my mom so I have great memories of her. Many thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. Sincerely, Barbara Holland Eby

David Scott

May 17, 2020

She impacted my life positively. She was my fourth grade teacher at Poquoson Elementary School and I still remember a lot of the things she taught me. She was ahead of her time in the way she connected to students and parents. She will be missed dearly.

Natalie

May 17, 2020

Mrs. Truskett was my 4th grade teacher at Poquoson Elementary. During my year with her she took me under her wing and loved me. Lovey Dovey, a hurt dove that she rescued, was in our classroom during the school year. He would sit in her hair as she walked the aisles teaching us. After this school year she invited me back in the early summer to help her clean out her classroom. I never saw her again after this summer but the impact she had on my life has never been forgotten. I am saddened to hear of her passing but thankful to have had her in my life. Prayer and love ❤

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410 Grafton Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692

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