"Live the Moment"

A tribute to our dear mother Helen Ann Delunas

Our mom, Helen Ann Delunas, passed away at home in Laguna Hills, CA on July 8, 2014, while surrounded by her very well-loved kids. She was 88, just one month short of her 89th birthday. Mom showed immeasurable courage and inspired awe in all who knew her by handling her prolonged, debilitating, illness with such amazing grace and indomitable spirit.

Mom was a gentle woman who loved life and loved people. She fostered many valued friendships with people of all ages. In fact, she never met a stranger. Always concerned about the wellbeing of others, she was known for her warm and loving heart, her caring manner, her kindness, her encouragement, and her open arms. Those close to her also knew her to have an adventurous spirit and a surprising wit.

Our mom lived many unique life "chapters". She was born in Newark, New Jersey on August 7, 1925 and graduated from East Side High School in 1943. She loved to sing, and began to participate in choirs at age 6. She was in a Lithuanian Folk Dance and Singing Group from the ages of 17 to 22 and performed on the radio.

After meeting the very handsome Henry (Andy) Delunas (our dad) she married in 1948. She spent the first 16 years of her married life in New Jersey, the last 9 of which were in the home my father and uncle built in the beautiful borough of Watchung. While in Watchung she was our school secretary which made it impossible to get away with anything at school since she knew all of our teachers.

In the early 60's our parents packed up our station wagon and we headed out on a cross-country move to Pomona, California. While raising us in Pomona, our mom worked for Boy's Republic, Action Printers, and Lanterman State Hospital. She was a working mom with the emphasis on the word "mom", staying up late to finish the zippers in the dresses we tried to sew or typing our reports for school.

Our mom loved to travel and she managed to visit 49 of the 50 states and several countries. After our dad's death, mom moved to Henderson, Nevada, where she developed many new and cherished friendships. She participated in a much-loved Mom's Group and delighted in adding her alto voice to the choir at St. Thomas Moore and then St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. She and her Henderson friends played bingo and frequented the nickel slot machines at local casinos regularly.

Our mom's deeply held Roman Catholic faith played a central role throughout her life. She was active in the Holy Trinity Lithuanian Catholic Church in Newark from the age of ten. She also taught religion classes to young children every Saturday morning for 14 years. She considered herself fortunate to have visited the Holy Lands in her many travels and to have seen Pope Saint John Paul the Great twice in her lifetime.

Helen will be buried beside her husband of 43 years (our dad) Henry (Andy) Delunas, who preceded her in death in 1992. Her surviving immediate family members are:

• 4 Children & Partners: Eve Delunas & Roger Stilgenbauer, Ken & Jan Delunas, Cyndy (Delunas) & Ron Miller, and Andrea (Delunas) & Al Mosca.

• 7 Grandchildren: Alisse Delunas Harris, Megan Mosca, Cody Delunas, Madison Delunas, Lexie Miller, Christy Mosca Wise, and Lori Mosca Andersen.

• 4 Great Grandchildren: Scarlett Mae Harris, Dakota Wise, Conner Wise, and Addyson Andersen.

A note from Helen's family:

Please join us in celebrating our mom's life.

Services:

• Sunday, July 27th, 2014 from 2:00 – 5:00 pm: viewing at McCormick & Son Funeral Home, 25002 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653; Tel: 949-768-0933.

• Monday, July 28th, 2014

- 9:00 am: Funeral Mass presided by Fr. Dick at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 24252 El Toro Rd, Laguna Woods, CA 9263; Tel: 949- 837-1090.

- 10:00 am (immediately following the Funeral Mass): buffet reception at St. Nicholas Parish Hall

- 1:50 pm: burial at Riverside National Cemetery

We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from so many wonderful people. Our mom saw the goodness in people and things. She found beauty and joy everywhere. She faced setbacks, obstacles, and challenges with grace and a firm belief that she could overcome it. In her memory, we ask that you embrace her essence and do a loving act of kindness, make someone laugh, send a card, give a hug, or say "I love you" to your special friend. And always remember to "live the moment" (mom's favorite saying).