Helene Kokoszka

MERIDEN - Helene (Linkovich) Kokoszka, 91, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Masonicare Hospice after suffering a stroke. She was the wife of the late Julian "Whitey" Kokoszka. Helene began her eternal journey surrounded by her loving family after a short illness.

Helene was born in Sandisfield, Mass. on March 28, 1923 to William and Rose Linkovich. She graduated from Lee High School in Lee, Mass. She was married to Julian "Whitey" Kokoszka for 59 years. She resided in Meriden most of her adult life. Helene was employed as a bank teller at Connecticut Bank and Trust for 29 years prior to her retirement.

Helene is survived by her loving daughter, Donna (Kokoszka) Guidi, of Meriden; and loving son and daughter-in-law, William and Eileen Kokoszka, of Meriden. Helene was a truly wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She leaves her six wonderful grandchildren, Matthew Kokoszka and his wife, Darla, of Saltsburg, Pa.; Martin Kokoszka and his wife, Takyrica, of Oak Park, Ill.; Daniel (DJ) Kokoszka, of Meriden; Scott Guidi, of Sandisfield, Mass.; Ashley Guidi, of Meriden; and Kelsey Guidi and her partner, Bryan Evon, of Torrington, Conn. She leaves her precious great-grandchildren, Ayden Kokoszka, Tristan Kokoszka, Cole Guidi, Mackenzie Jordan Kokoszka, and Levi Evon, who loved their GG so much.

Helene was comforted by her teacup poodle, Baby, for 15 years. She loved to play card games, especially setback, with family and friends. There were many late nights spent playing setback with her grandchildren, son and daughter-in-law, and her son's in-laws, Bob and Barbara Semrau.

Helene is survived by her brother, Walter Linkovich, of Sandisfield, Mass., and was predeceased by her brothers, Stanley and Michael Linkovich. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Agnes Baur, Sophie Ostasiewski, and Helen Weitrak; and brother-in-law, Stanley Kokoszka and his wife, Carolyn.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service to be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m. from the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, and at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, for a Mass of Christian burial. Entombment will be private. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at MidState Medical Center and Masonicare Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to our loved one during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Ave., Meriden, CT 06450. For online condolences, please visit www.jferryfh.com.