Helen Naseeb Zenkin

Helen Naseeb (Naddaff) Zenkin, a woman of deep faith, boundless love, and joyful spirit, passed away after a long and beautiful life at the age of 97.
Helen was born in Boston, the daughter of Lebanese immigrants Naseeb and Mary Naddaff. She grew up on Upton Street in the South End of Boston, in a home filled with strong Lebanese traditions, heritage, and customs. From there, the family moved to Fuller Street in Brookline and they continued to enjoy living their lives with their extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins.
She graduated from Boston Girls' High School in Roxbury and went on to further her education at the Massachusetts School of Art in Boston, proudly paying her own way through school. Helen was a gifted and creative artist. After graduating, she worked as a commercial artist for a Boston-based advertising agency from the 1940s until 1960, when she married. Her artwork appeared in newspapers, magazines, and flyers throughout the Boston area. She contributed to campaigns for Dunkin' Donuts, Jordan Marsh, wedding boutiques, hotels, and many other businesses.
When Helen married and began raising her family, she left her professional career but never her love of art. She continued to share her talents through her church and her children's schools, designing flyers, book covers, and advertisements. She delighted in teaching her children-and later her grandchildren-how to express themselves through drawing and creativity. Her home was always beautifully decorated for every holiday, complete with hand-painted window scenes that reflected the season's joy.
Helen's life revolved around her family. She married her beloved husband, Walter Zenkin, in Boston and together they settled in Burlington in 1961. They made a wonderful team-supporting one another, respecting each other's passions, and growing stronger together. Walter loved music, especially big band and his idol Frank Sinatra. Although Helen couldn't always keep the beat, she joyfully joined him at concerts and shows, filling their home with music and laughter.
Walter owned the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Revere. The early years were challenging, but Walter's determination and Helen's steady support helped the business thrive. Helen and the children pitched in wherever they could. Eventually, the restaurant became a success. While Walter managed the store, Helen proudly represented them at franchise meetings-and even appeared in a Kentucky Fried Chicken television commercial.
As a mother, Helen was a strong role model. She ran the household with love, patience, and grace, always guiding her children on the right path and encouraging their creative pursuits. When she became "Sitou," the Arabic word for grandmother, her heart grew even fuller. She absolutely adored her grandchildren-teaching them to draw, singing to them, and spoiling them with her famous macaroni and cheese and "Sitou Toast" (known elsewhere as cinnamon toast). She found joy in giving thoughtful gifts, taking them on beach walks to collect sea glass, and waking them up on star-filled nights to search for meteors and constellations. She loved to play games and proudly held the title of "Scrabble Queen." The family home on Old Silver Beach has been the family summer gathering spot since 1969. She was fun, loving, and wise-the matriarch and rock of her family.
Helen lived her life as if through rose-colored glasses-always seeing the good in people and believing the glass was half full. She treated everyone with kindness, respect, and dignity. She was quick to offer thanks for even the simplest gestures and never missed an opportunity to give a sincere compliment. Time spent with Helen left you feeling happier, lighter, and more loved.
Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. Helen was a longtime parishioner of St. Margaret's Church and often brought her family to Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon Church in Jamaica Plain. She taught CCD at St. Margaret's and volunteered at countless church fairs and activities. Her favorite saint was Padre Pio, and she was blessed to attend his canonization in St. Peter's Square in Rome on June 16, 2002. She believed deeply in his healing powers and prayed to him daily on behalf of loved ones. Helen prayed every day right up until her passing, often reminding her family to "Bless yourself every day"-her way of teaching that gratitude can transform any hardship into a blessing and fill one's heart with joy.
Helen never judged others. She saw the good in everything and everyone, and she was endlessly thankful for the blessings in her life. Her radiant smile, uplifting spirit, and kind heart made everyone feel special. The world truly would be a better place if more people lived life the way Helen did-with faith, gratitude, and love.
She was the proud matriarch of four generations of the Zenkin family and took immense joy in each and every one of them. Helen will be deeply missed, but her legacy and spirit will live forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Helen was the beloved wife of the late Walter David Zenkin. She was the loving mother and mother-in-law of Marie Goggin & her husband Vincent of Nashua, NH, Suzanna "Suzie" Crowley & her husband Jerry of Andover, Noelle Hanafin & her husband Richard of Burlington, and Walter T. Zenkin & his wife Lisa of Burlington. She was the proud grandmother of Daniel Goggin & his wife Kristin, Joseph Goggin, Amanda Crowley & her partner Bradley O'Brien, Rebecca Crowley & her partner Lenny French, Monique Woods & her husband Terence, Christina Hanafin, Thomas Hanafin, Nicholas Zenkin & his wife Hannah Lapp Zenkin, Lily Zenkin, Amelia Zenkin, Sophie Zenkin, and the late Renee Marie Goggin. She was the great grandmother of Owen Goggin, Caleb Goggin, Reilly Woods, Charlotte Woods, Lila Woods, Melissa O'Brien, Olivia O'Brien, and Jackson French. She was the sister of the late George Naddaff & his surviving wife Marti of Newton, late Edmund Naddaff & his surviving wife Barbara of Burlington, and late Alfred Naddaff & his late wife Katherine "Josie". She was the sister-in-law of the late Margaret and George Buckley. Helen was also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Monday, October 27 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Tuesday October 28 at 9 a.m. and will conclude with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, 111 Winn Street, Burlington at 10 a.m.
In Helen's memory, memorials in her name may be made to the Renee Marie Goggin Scholarship Fund, 6 Tacoma Circle, Nashua, NH 03062.
For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net