Helen Thomas

Helen Thomas, born Jelena Jakopak in Kotoriba, Croatia, on August 3, 1932, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Branko “Robert” Thomas, who died in 2000. She was also preceded by her parents, Martin Jakopak, originally from Donja Dubrava, Croatia, and Katarina (née Rep), originally from Kotoriba, Croatia; her brothers, Ivan “John” Jakopak, Nikolaj “Nick” Jakopak; and her sister, Mary Ann Kaiser

Helen is survived by her sons, Stephen J. (Janice) Thomas of Dallas, TX and Christopher (Cindy) Thomas Sr. of Amherst, OH; her daughter, Michelle (Brian) Burchfiel of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Christopher Thomas II, Marty (Jordan) Thomas, Evan Burchfiel, Andrew Burchfiel, and Madison Burchfiel; and a great grandchild, Branko Thomas; her sister, Caroline Leadingham of Coulee Dam, WA; sister in law, Marcia Beal of Amherst, OH; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins here in the U.S., Croatia, Australia, and Argentina.

Just prior to World War II, Helen, her parents and her two brothers, immigrated to the U.S., arriving at Ellis Island aboard the RMS Aquitania on April 22, 1939. They eventually settled in Lorain.

Helen was a devout Catholic, a devoted wife and mother who loved cooking, walking, and gardening. She treasured her family, her faith, her friends, and her Croatian heritage. She loved polka music and polka dancing, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, volunteering at her church, and working on her word search booklets. Helen retired from Lorain City Schools after 15 years, during which she worked as a teacher’s aide and lunch lady attendant at Washington Elementary. She also worked as a cashier at Hills Department Store for 15 years.

Helen was a lifelong member of the former Ss Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Lorain, and she was a member of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church in Lorain, where she belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society. Additionally, she was part of various groups and prayer groups, including the Divine Mercy Holy Hour Group at St. Anthony Church in Lorain and the American Croatian Club of Lorain.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Dovin Funeral and Cremation Specialists, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be on Wednesday at 9:30 AM in the funeral home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Catholic Church, 2143 Homewood Drive in Lorain. Rev. Neil Walters, pastor, will officiate. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, followed by a bereavement luncheon at the American Croatian Club on Oberlin Avenue, Lorain.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Helen's honor be made to her childhood parish in Kotoriba, Croatia, The Church of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To donate, please visit www.gofundme.com and search for “Helen Thomas Kotoriba” or contact one of her children for assistance.