Helen (Babuk) Zelenski, passed away on Monday October 23, 2017, one week shy of her 98th birthday at her home, where she raised her three children with her husband, loved and cared for her three grandchildren and more recently her two great granddaughters.

Helen was born in 1919 to the late Barbara and John Babuk of Meriden. She was a lifelong resident of Meriden and parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church. At the start of WWII, Helens intense civic responsibility inspired her to volunteer as an air warden and later as a nurse's aide while working nights at New Departure. She later enlisted in the Women's Army Air Corp and served as Mess Sergeant in the 8th Air Force Bomb Division in Thetford England.

In 1984 Helen retired from her job at the International Silver Company, where she had been employed since 1946. She was instrumental in starting the Steelworkers Union and later served as president for Local 7770. Helen was generous and ambitious, she hosted many dinners and holidays until her leg amputation in the 90's. This curtailed her extensive volunteer work in soup kitchens, shelters and St. Stanislaus Nursery School.

Mrs. Zelenski is survived by her husband Joseph Zelenski; son Paul (Cecelia) Zelenski; her daughter Lorraine Zelenski; two sisters: Veronica Lachick, Stacia Frappied; grandsons: Kevin (Claudine) Zelenski, Paul Vincent Zelenski; a granddaughter Jessica Zelenski and two great granddaughters: Faith Zelenski and Amia Sutherland. She was predeceased by her daughter Christine (Richard) DiPersio and brother Walter Cyrul.

Her funeral will be held on Saturday October 28th at 10:00 a.m. from the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden when the funeral cortege will proceed to St. Stanislaus Church for a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Saturday morning October 28th from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Stempien Funeral Home. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com .

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Helen Zelenski may be made to the Franciscan Home Care & Hospice, 267 Finch Ave., Meriden, CT 06451.