Helen M. Kostic (nee Lambing), 100 years, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024.
Helen was born on January 11, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA. She attended Elementary School in Philadelphia and was a graduate of Glassboro High School, Class of 1941. She married Steve Kostic, a World War II Veteran, on January 10, 1948 and was married for 48 years until his passing in 1996.
Helen was a lifelong member of Saint Mary’s RC Church in Williamstown, NJ, an active member of the PTA at Saint Mary’s School during her children’s attendance and she volunteered at the Williamstown Public Library on Main & Hall Street. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, baking, reading, gardening, spending time in Brigantine with her family & learning about family history.
Helen learned many life skills as she worked (1936-1965) in the family business “Lambing Delicatessen” with her mother Margaret Lambing on South Main Street in Williamstown. Helen learned how to cut pork chops at age 12, she picked raspberries on the farm & sent them to market with her brothers Frank Lambing & the late Adam Lambing & she worked long hours taking care of their loyal customers. After 40 years (1925-1965) in business, Lambing’s Delicatessen closed, yet many former customers approached Helen for Mrs. Lambing famous German potato salad recipe. Helen has never revealed her mother’s secret recipe outside the family. Helen enjoyed her life as a mother & homemaker.
When asked to share her secrets to a full life, Miss Helen replies: “Hard work & good genes. My mother lived to 89 & my two great aunts were 102 & 107 when they left us. I guess I was blessed with good genes from strong working women.”
Beloved wife of the late Stephen Kostic, Sr. Devoted mother of Peggy Collier (the late John), Nancy Carlson (Richard) and Stephen Kostic, Jr (Virginia). Loving grandmother of Michael Collier, the late Gregory Collier, the late Brian Carlson and Paul Carlson. Loving great grandmother of Bobby Carlson, Benjamin Collier, Ellie Collier & Emma Collier.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Friday, January 3rd from 8:30 - 10:30 AM at the Bell-Hennessy Funeral Home, 420 S. Main St., Williamstown. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Peace Parish / St. Mary's R.C. Church, Main St. & Carroll Ave., Williamstown. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Williamstown.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be mailed to the Samaritan Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 71425, Philadelphia, PA 19176-1425 or @ SamaritanNJ.org
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