Helen Katchis' Obituary
Helen was born in Lawrence, MA to Fred St. John and Virginia Webster St. John. As a young girl, she lost her father in a drowning accident after he had survived WW II in Belgium. Her Mom and younger sister Barbara, moved to Clinton, OH near Akron. Her mother remarried and in time Helen gained four brothers and sisters in her life. She graduated High school in 1958 from St Mary’s High school and then graduated from college in 1962, with a BS in Biology from Notre Dame College. Helen loved music and along the way she learned how to play the Clarinet, took lessons to play the piano and played organ for her church. After college she pursued her career by working in hospital Clinical labs at several hospitals in the Cleveland area. During that time, she met her dearest longtime friend Peggy Rubenstein. After college, she met John Zanyk, and they married in 1964 and had one adopted son, Christopher. Also, she later learned how to fly and held a flying license for many years and enjoyed several flying adventures. Along with John spending evenings with friends singing country songs, she learned to play guitar which became a happy respite from work. She loved the Beatles, Elvis, and John Denver. After many years living in the Cleveland area, she moved to Miami with John and her son in 1978. She began working at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and later started at Baptist Hospital of Kendall, where she stayed for 25 years, working with many friends and partners. She divorced John in 1983, and later married her beloved Louis (Lou) Katchis, in November 1989. They were married for more than 33 plus years, living in South Miami and Kendall. They traveled together to many places, including Holland, Rome, Athens, the Greek isles, Mexico, Alaska and Chile. They visited many friends that she had made while in Cleveland and in Miami who had moved away. They learned how to country dance together and enjoyed many events in the country dance halls of South Florida. There were many pool parties and Fireworks for friends and family at the family home in South Miami. Everyone loved her wherever she went. Many asked her about her beautiful blue eyes and she always had an easy-going attitude. It was hard to make her mad but if you did, the MOM would kick in with love and forgiveness all around.
After Helen retired from Baptist Hospital, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which began a new life for her constantly in rehab mode. She attended Dadeland Walkers and Park Optimist (Brain Center) programs and other events geared to rehab for Parkinson’s patients. After many years with the debilitating illness, she had some heart problems which were corrected, but Parkinson’s started her having falling problems and she ended up breaking both hips and then got pneumonia and Covid while in rehab. After all the challenges she confronted and victories that were won, this was too much for her weakened body.
She is survived by her husband Lou, son Christopher Zanyk (Jessica), step daughters Cindy Allen (David), Wendy Ackerman (Scott), grandsons Jake Zanyk and Zack Zanyk, granddaughters Amanda Kleyla (Maikel) and Krista Kleyla, nieces Toni White and Deborah White and nephew Bob White; two brothers Charles Pribonic and Pete Pribonic (Sue) and two sisters Susan Pribonic (Dan) and Lisa Pribonic; and so many friends and acquaintances who loved her dearly.
A Memorial Service will be held at Van Orsdel Funeral Chapels at 11220 N. Kendall Drive on February 11, 2023, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brain Center are appreciated for the great work they do.
Checks should be made out to: NSCFF POM
Mail donations to:
Tamara Robinett/Brain Center
2150 Coral Way, 8th Floor
Miami, FL 33145
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