Helen Costello Petrich

Obituary HELEN COSTELLO PETRICH Helen Costello Petrich, daughter of Francis Bartholomew and Catherine McDermott Costello, was born in Spokane, Washington on December 12, 1922. She was the great granddaughter of Richard and Elmira Benjamin, who walked the Oregon Trail from Terre Haute, Indiana to Portland in 1852, just 50 years after the Louisiana Purchase. Mrs. Petrich was educated by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Holy Names Sisters of Jesus and Mary, both in Spokane. She received her bachelor's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. During World War II, she was a reporter for The Chicago Tribune and wrote news for CBS in Minneapolis, MN. Mrs. Petrich married James F. Petrich in 1946. They had seven children: James F., Jr., (Jane), Seattle; Mary Manning (Jim), Tsaile, AZ; Christopher (Elizabeth Harburg), Richard (Lorelei), and Frank, all of Tacoma; and Caroline (Kirk Weller), Portland. A son, William, died in 1973. Her husband, Jim, died in 2005. Mrs. Petrich tried to live deeply her Roman Catholic faith, which was of first importance all of her life, and she was active in the Catholic Woman's Club, serving several years on the board. An ardent supporter of the arts, she helped found the docent program for the Tacoma Art Museum, was active in the Allied Arts of Tacoma, and wrote plays for children, including "Franz Liszt Gives A Tea Party," the music for which was arranged by Tacoma composer Leroy Ostransky. She also served on the boards of the Junior League of Tacoma and the Tacoma Public Library where she and her husband started the Children's Summer Reading Program. She was also an advisor on matters of mental health under Pierce County Executive Harry Springer. In addition to her children, her survivors include her siblings: Mother Mary Michael Costello, FSE, Bridal Veil, OR; Catherine A. Costello, St. Paul, MN; Reverend Frank B. Costello, S. J., Spokane; and Therese Hauer, Alameda, CA. Two brothers predeceased her: Reverend William T. Costello, S.J., and Joseph Costello. Mrs. Petrich also leaves her beloved 12 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who were very dear to her. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 11:00 am at St. Leo Catholic Church, 710 S. 13th Street, Tacoma. Private interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Leo Food Connection, 710 S. 13th, Tacoma, 98405, 253-383-5048. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, (253) 572-6003.