Helen Kostiw

On January 9, 2018, surrounded by family, Helen Kostiw passed from this world and peacefully entered the kingdom of God.

Helen Kostiw was born on November 20, 1928 in Chicago Illinois to Michael and Mary Jiganowski. She grew up in the Ukrainian Village area, attended school and went with her family to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. She took singing lessons at the church and also at the Civic Opera House. After graduating high school, Helen moved with friends to California where she got a job at AAA as an office worker doing typing and filing. She attended the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Catholic Church with the Korchinski family whom she lived with. After church many families would get together for a meal. It was at one such event she met her husband Stanley Kostiw. It was love at first sight. They had a brief courtship, married and moved to Hawaii where Stanley was serving in the US Navy.

Helen and Stanley had four children and eventually settled in Simi Valley California. Helen enjoyed singing and acting in the local theatre while there and often entertained cast and friends in her home. Helen was known for her amazing skills in the kitchen. Helen and Stan moved to Ventura to be closer to the ocean but after the children had all left home they moved to Florida. Helen always had an art for decorating and fixed her home in a country theme. They attended St. Michael's Ukrainian Church and often worked in the kitchen helping to make Pieroge for church fundraisers and prepare menus for church events.

After Stanley passed away, Helen moved back to California to be closer to her children and then relocated with her daughter to South Carolina where she would spend the remainder of her years. Helen continued to attend church services as often as her health would permit. She enjoyed her last days in the home of her granddaughter and loved watching her great grandchildren frolic about the house. She spent every morning having "Coffee with God" and trusting in His promises. Her faith was never broken.

Her parents Michael and Mary, brothers John and Benny, husband Stanley Kostiw, and grandson Jeremy Chaffin, precede Helen in death. Left to honor her memory are her children; Robin Haan, Debbie Cookman (Mike), Brent Kostiw (Jane), Christopher Kostiw, six grandchildren; Gary Chaffin (Joanne), Joey DiIanni (Diana), Courtney Thomas (Michael), Jenny DiIanni, and fiancé Anthony Harper, Daniel Kostiw (Melanie), and Jacqueline Crooks (Nolan), and nine great grandchildren, Brittany and Allison Thomas, Desirae and Chrissa Chaffin, Toby and Eli DiIanni, Trey and Samantha Harper and Jordan DiIanni.

A memorial service will be held at a future date in California so family and friends can all be present. Helen will join her husband Stanley off the coast of Ventura, California. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Helen Kostiw may be made by check, payable to Kindred Hospice at:

Kindred Hospice Foundation
223 South Herlong Avenue, Ste. 120
Rock Hill, SC 29732

The family of Helen Kostiw is being served by Palmetto Funeral Home of Fort Mill, SC.

On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.palmettofh.com.

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