HELEN A. (GUMASKAS) ZABILSKI

86, of Johnston, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 25, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. Helen was the beloved wife of the late Edward J. Zabilski to whom she had been married for 49 years. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Ambrose and Mary (Straznickas) Gumaskas. Mrs. Zabilski worked as an order processing clerk for the Providence School Department for twenty years until her retirement in 1986. Helen enjoyed gardening, sewing and reading but especially spending time with her children and grandchildren. She relished her role as family historian. She is survived by her children Catherine Chappell of Johnston, Jean Martish and her husband James of Cranston, Ann O'Leary and her husband John of Cranston and Edward J. Zabilski, Jr. and his wife Marlene Ripley of Dartmouth, MA. Helen was the sister of Joseph Gumaskas of Simi Valley, CA and the late Ambrose Gumaskas, Jr. Mrs. Zabilski was the grandmother of Randi Gilmore, Benjamin, Rebecca and Andrew Martish, Kaleen and Erin O'Leary. Her funeral will be held from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas Church, Fruit Hill Avenue, Providence at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be held in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS: Monday 4:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Church, 65 Fruit Hill Avenue, Providence, RI 02909 or Salvation Army, 20 Miner Street, Providence, RI 02905.

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