Helen Chaskelis Costanzo

Tega Cay, SC. Mrs. Helen Chaskelis Costanzo, age 74, ended her wild ride on August 10, 2012 after a courageous 13-month battle with cancer. Helen was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and came to the States at age 11, knowing only Spanish and French. Her family settled in Stamford, Connecticut where she lived across the street from Lore Seegar Jamroga who would become her best friend and travel companion. Lore and Helen covered the West Coast as young adults, working at various dude ranches to earn their way. Helen became a US citizen at age 22 and started working for Branson Ultrasonics soon after where she met her husband-to-be, Donn Julian Costanzo. The ever-resourceful planner that she was, Helen knew the way to Donn's heart was through his cars so she brought her 1954 Chevrolet to him for a valve change and he was hooked for the next 49 years. They quickly began a family which became a centerpost for Helen. She never missed an event or milestone in her childrens' lives and had the family on the go all the time. She enjoyed tennis, skiing and horseback riding through her mid-sixties. When she was ready for more low impact adventures, she coordinated annual cross-country motorcycle trips, Bunco parties and river rafting adventures with their many close friends. In addition to being a voracious lover of life, Helen had a boundless capacity for helping and supporting others. She eagerly encouraged even the most casual of acquaintances to lay their burdens on her. She consoled. She agonized. She cheered. She gave endlessly...never truly aware of her impact on the many lives she touched. Helen is survived by her husband, Donn Costanzo; her children, Dena Roten and Donn Costanzo, Jr; her brother, Henry Chaskelis; her grandchildren, Cam Roten, Chase Roten, Chandler Roten, Kendall Costanzo and Kylie Costanzo; daughter-in-law Delaney Costanzo; son-in-law Rick Roten and by countless friends who will be forever changed as a result of her influence on their lives. A memorial service to celebrate Helen's life will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at Grace Presbyterian Church 2955 West Highway 160, Fort Mill, SC 29708 at 3 pm with Rev. Joanne C. Sizoo officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Wayne Patrick Hospice House, PO Box 993 Rock Hill, SC 29713 or Grace Presbyterian Church PO Box 3454 Fort Mill, SC

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