Mrs. Helen Z. Gassmann of Matamoras, Pa., a longtime resident of the Tri-State area, died Sunday, April 4, 2021, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, N.Y. She was 92.
She was born Jan. 11, 1929, in Paterson, N.J., the daughter of the late George Zitone and the late Mary Abboud Zitone.
Helen married Richard Vincent Gassmann on Oct. 8, 1960, in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Matamoras. They were married for 53 years prior to his passing on March 26, 2014.
After graduating from Port Jervis high school as salutatorian in 1947, Helen worked as a bookkeeper for Crescent Silverware in Port Jervis. But her life’s work was as the secretary/treasurer of the family business, Zitone Construction in Montague, N.J., where she worked for over 50 years.
Helen had a lifelong commitment to her family and to the community she lived in. Realizing that Montague needed its own zip code, she petitioned the U.S. Postal Service to establish the post office in Montague and was proud to become its first postmaster. She was elected to the board of education for the Delaware Valley School District, a position she held for 17 years. She was active in numerous community organizations, including the Keystone Community Club, Matamoras Recreation Committee, and Cub Scout Pack 77. Although she remained active for many years in the Pike County and Matamoras Democratic committees, Helen always had a commitment to projects that benefitted her entire community.
Helen was a devoted communicant of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Church in Matamoras.
Despite her many community-related endeavors, her greatest source of pride and joy was her family. Helen and Richard reveled in watching their sons and granddaughters grow into adulthood.
Helen is survived by her sons, William Gassmann of Exton, Pa., and Robert Gassmann and companion, Karen Faller, of Mohawk, N.Y.; granddaughters, Karen Zimmerman and husband, Glendon, of Downingtown, Pa., Sarah Gassmann of New York City, Madeline Gassmann and partner, David Aiello, of Frankfort, N.Y., and Carly Gassmann of Syracuse, N.Y.; great-granddaughter, Sophia Izabella Aiello; sisters Evelyn Dalrymple of Newton, N.J., and Joyce Helms of Canastota, N.Y.; brother, Edward Zitone of Montague; sister-in-law, Lois Zitone of Montague; along with several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Zitone; her sister Lorraine Bergstrom; and her sister-in-law Joyce Zitone.
Visitation was held at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home in Port Jervis on April 7, followed by a Blessing Service.
Cremation was at the MacLennan Hall Crematorium, Milford, Pa., followed by a cremains burial in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the American Cancer Society.