Helen Margaret Kokich

Obituary Helen Margaret Kokich Helen Margaret Kokich, 98, of Tacoma, died April 7, 2015 with her family by her side. She was born to Visko and Vinka Lisicich on February 27, 1917, in Tacoma Washington. Helen called Tacoma home for her entire life and spent all of it surrounded by family and friends. She married the late Obren Kokich in 1943 and they had two children, Vince and Mary Jo. She was dedicated to family and loyal beyond measure. She will certainly be missed. Helen graduated from Stadium High School in 1935. As a young adult, she loved horseback riding and developed a group of friends called the "Old Town Gals" who she remained close to all her life. She was a hard-worker who had a mind for numbers and helped make a life for her family as an accountant for over 70 years. She was an active member of the Slavonian American Benevolent Society and the Croatian Fraternal Union, spending much time with the Croatian community of Tacoma. She took great care supporting many of her family and friends over the years. Whether she was lending books to her "little bookworm," making home cooked meals for sick loved ones, sewing and mending clothes, or driving friends to church, coffee or for a hamburger, she found great purpose in devoting time and energy to the people in her life. Helen is preceded in death by her husband Obren; children, Vince and Mary Jo; sister, Amelia; and brothers, Anton (Evelyn) and Peter (Dorothy). She is survived by daughter-in-law, Marilyn; grandchildren, Marija, Obie (Lindsay), Vince (Michelle) and Mary (Alex); seven great-grandchildren who were the apple of her eye, and an abundance of loving cousins, nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 11:00 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tacoma. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Slavonian American Benevolent Society, 2306 N. 30th Street, Tacoma WA 98403 or the Kokich Family Endowment for Faculty Development at Bellarmine High School, 2300 S. Washington Street, Tacoma, WA 98405. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.