Obituary of Helen Elizabeth Mastromarco

MASTROMARCO, Helen E. of Saginaw, Michigan Mrs. Helen Elizabeth Mastromarco passed away on April 10, 2014 at 94 years young, one month short of her 95th birthday. Her late husband of 52 years, Victor J. Mastromarco, Sr., predeceased her. Helen was born to Ezra Finkbeiner and Elizabeth (nee) Duffy on May 10, 1919, as one of 3 children. She was predeceased by her brother, James V. Finkbeiner, and her beloved twin sister, Jean Merrill. ‎ Helen was a lifelong resident of Saginaw. She graduated from Saginaw's St. Andrew Catholic High School and Eastern Michigan University, where she earned her baccalaureate degree and teaching certificate. Following this, she attended Northwestern University, thereafter earning her Master's degree from the University of Michigan. Both Helen and her twin sister Jean graduated with honors from St. Andrew's and Eastern Michigan where they were roommates. Indeed, Helen and Jean shared the honor of Valedictorian and Salutatorian upon their graduation from both high school and college. Helen devoted her professional life to the noble pursuit of teaching, as one of three generations of teachers. She taught in the City of Saginaw public school system for more than four and one-half decades where she inspired an estimated 1,000 students, many of whom would greet her well after her retirement as their favorite teacher. ‎She was a life member of the Germania Club, an avid reader and president of the Saginaw Chapter of University Women. Over the long span of her life, Helen loved outdoor activities and adventures. She was an avid golfer, reader, bird watcher and bridge player. She attended the 1940 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where Franklin Delano Roosevelt was nominated for his third Presidential term. She once traveled 280 miles down the Colorado River on a raft from Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead. As recently as eight years ago, Helen ventured to Ireland where she celebrated her 86th birthday in a traditional Irish pub in County Donegal. She flew a plane through the Eastern Shore of Maryland at the age of 84 with her friend Joyce Woods in the jump seat. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, never wavering in her zest for life and learning. Helen is survived by her two sons and their spouses, Victor and Jill (nee) Schmidt Mastromarco, Jr. of Saginaw, and Dan and Angela (nee) Duffy Mastromarco of Annapolis, Maryland. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Victor (Trey) Mastromarco, III of Saginaw, and Conor Duffy Mastromarco of Annapolis, along with many nieces and nephews whom she held dear. The family wishes to express their profound gratitude for the staff at Hoyt Nursing Home and for Helen's tireless caregivers, Martina Niswonger, Naomi Fitchett, Bonnie Garcia, Monnie Kernstock and Theresa Merkel, whose devotion blessed Helen with irreplaceable comfort, companionship and kindness towards the end of her life. Helen died in the company of her family and friends who will greatly miss her contagious and indomitable spirit. FUNERAL: A Funeral Service honoring Helen will take place at 2:00 p.m. at her parish, St. Stephen Catholic Church, 1310 Malzahn. Rev. Fr. Robert DeLand will officiate. Private burial will take place at St. Andrew Cemetery. VISITATION: Family and friends are welcome to visit at the church on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to City Rescue Mission of Saginaw, 1021 Burt St. P. O. Box 548, Saginaw, MI 48606. Arrangements are entrusted to the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State). Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the church or through www.deislerfuneralhome.com.