Helen Suryan

died peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, one week shy of her 84th birthday. Our beloved Helen was born to Mato and Kate Zitkovich on March 12, 1924, in Obuljeno, Croatia (a small hillside village near Dubrovnik). She was the fourth of seven children. Her early years were filled with hard work and hard times, growing up through the difficult period of WWII. Her parents could afford her no more than a 6th grade education.Little did Helen know that when she received a letter from America, that her life without electricity and running water was about to change, forever. It came addressed from a man she didn't know. "I saw a picture of you," it said, "and I decided to write you a letter." And that is how Helen came to meet her future husband, Ivan, who had previously emigrated from Croatia. The year was 1955.For the next 12 months, Helen and Ivan continued to write. He wanted her to come to America too. However, she had an expired visa from trying to come to an Aunt's house in Seattle. The only way for her to come now was to get married first. Shortly after receiving Helen's news, Ivan left for Croatia. It was there that Helen saw for the first time, the man of the letters. Two months later, on July 22, 1956, they were married. After a six month honeymoon and with all her paperwork finally in order, Helen was able to board a ship for travel to America.The rest, shall we say, is history. Helen lived with Ivan for 46 storied years in Anacortes, where together they built a wonderful life. They raised a son and a daughter, giving each of them the education she never had. In 2002, they moved to Bainbridge Island to be closer to their children and grandchildren.Helen was a terrific homemaker and tireless worker. Much of what her family wore, Helen had sewn. Much of what the family ate, Helen had grown. She will be remembered for her tremendous energy, her generosity, speaking her mind, baking, her love of needlecraft and her amazing garden. She did everything in a big way. Her garden fed the entire neighborhood while a "batch" of cookies started with 18 eggs.Helen made an impact on so many and she will forever be missed. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Ivan, by her two children, John of Bellevue (with wife Monica and children Joseph and Nicholas), and Irene Smith of Bainbridge Island (with husband Marc and children Miranda, and Sophia), and by her brother, Marko Zitkovich of Seattle (with wife Nada). She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:30 AM at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church at 1310 Madison Ave N on Bainbridge (see map below). A reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, PO Box 3416, Silverdale WA 98383 or St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, 1310 NE Madison Ave, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.