Snow angel neighborly in pollock pines

Mountain Democrat staff

Pollock Pines resident Alena Sumner was trying to remove snow berms blocking her driveway Thursday when she was visited by a man she is calling “my angel.”

Her neighbor Chet Moore arrived riding his bright red tractor and offered to help, clearing the way for Sumner who has had to deal with all the snow removal herself this winter since her husband is recovering after breaking five ribs. Sumner noted the Good Samaritan, who she had never met before, refused to take any money to fuel up his Mahindra backhoe.

The Sly Park Road resident said, “I am so happy that we live in a neighborhood with great people.”

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

Patsy Sue (Wood) DiGiurco

March 29, 1938 – Feb. 22, 2023

Longtime Placerville resident

Patsy Sue DiGiurco passed away

February 22 at the age of 84.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank DiGiurco in 2009 and son Doug DiGiurco in 2022. She was born in 1938 to Elmer and Elsie Wood in a Depression-era Hooverville in Glendale, Arizona as the family migrated to California in search of Work.

Patsy lived the quintessential American dream, having been born in Depression-era poverty but ultimately building a comfortable life in Placerville with her husband Frank. In 1990, the couple completed their custom-built dream home on 10 acres, which was so grand that the design was featured in the pages of the Mountain Democrat. They lived there for nearly three decades, until health issues necessitated purchasing a smaller, easier-to-maintain property.

Patsy worked at the Mountain Democrat for more than 30 years, beginning in 1973. Over the decades, she worked as a typesetter, graphic designer, occasional sta writer and regular columnist for “Animal Acts,” where she documented the eccentricities of the animals she dearly loved. Most often the focus was on her favorite creatures – her pet cats. She had a passion for “antiquing” with her family and curated an amazing collection of Depression glass, magnificently-carved furniture and other antiques. She was also a voracious reader whose favorite genre was mysteries. She would regularly visit the Placerville branch of the El Dorado County Library and return home with stacks of books as tall as her co ee table.

Not only was Patsy known for her love of reading, she was also known for her witty, vivid stories about her family’s many adventures through the years. Her humor, warmth, passion and unconditional acceptance of her family was a constant influence and beacon of light for everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter Tarra DiGiurco; daughter-in-law Dani Henter; grandchildren Tom DiGiurco, Elsie Lopin, Amy Paone and Ian Jay, and great grandchildren Logan, Jordan and Madison Paone, Michael and Marley Lopin, and Elspeth DiGiurco.

A memorial will be held at 11 a.m. March 17 at Chapel of the Pines in Placerville, Calif.

Patricia Lynn Koszalka

Oct. 15, 1949 - Feb. 19, 2023

Patricia Lynn “Trish” Koszalka, age 73 of Placerville, died peacefully at home of natural causes on February 19, 2023. Her final hours were spent in the company of her loved ones.

Trish was born in Sacramento, California to Emanuel and Violet Koszalka on October 15, 1949. Having grown up first in Carmichael, and then in Pollock Pines, she was a 1967 graduate of El Dorado High School and lived her entire adult life in Placerville. She worked for El Dorado County in the Tax Collector’s o ce and in the Mental Health department before leaving to open and operate a board and care home for seniors for nearly 20 years.

Trish lived by the maxim that when you take care of others, you take care of yourself. After her second retirement from her board and care home, she remained active in the community. Trish was a member of Placerville Kiwanis and participated in their e orts to serve others locally. She was also an active volunteer with Snowline Hospice, the El Dorado County Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels. She saw retirement as her opportunity to give back to the community that had been so important to her throughout her life.

Trish is survived by her husband, Mace Bannon; her son, Paul McHenry of Cupertino; her daughter, Marijane Boyd, of Bend, Oregon; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

At Trish’s request there will be no services. A celebration of life will be held at Henningsen Lotus Park on June 16, 2023. Details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor her legacy to volunteer in the community, contribute to the Kiwanis Family House at UC Davis Medical Center, or to contribute to a charity of their choice.

Glen “Buzz” Helwig

Feb.

13, 1956 – Dec. 24, 2022

We are sad to announce the passing of Glen “Buzz” Helwig on December 24, 2022 at his home in Placerville. He is preceded in death by his brother Leland, his mother Barbara, his father Vern and his grandson Sterling. He is survived by his daughters: Mary Hansen, Barbra Foltz (Nathan), Edith Goldie (Kyle), his sister: Pauline Helwig, grandchildren: Alexis, Cameron, Natalie, Madeline, Savayah, Samantha, Andrew, Layla, Levi, Willa, Jordyn, Chloe, and great-grandchildren: Charlotte and Sebastian.

To honor his memory, we are holding a celebration of his life (and his brother Lee’s) at the American Legion Hall at 4561 Greenstone Rd, Placerville, CA 95667 on March 18, from 12 p.m.- 3 p.m. We invite anyone who knew him to attend and remember his life.

Dr. Vernon Donald “Don” Helms

Dec. 9, 1938 - Feb. 7, 2023

Dr. Vernon Donald “Don” Helms, a retired school superintendent, administrator, and teacher, passed away at home on February 7, 2023, at the age of 84.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Don was born in Concord, California on December 9, 1938. As a child Don’s parents relocated to San Bernardino, California where he grew up playing with friends in the open fields and spaces California had at that time. He especially enjoyed talking about the hours he spent looking through the fence at the old Norton Army Airbase in San Bernardino watching the WWII aircraft takeo and land. The time looking through that fence fostered a deep love of aircraft and especially WWII aircraft.

After graduating from Pacific High School, Don completed his teaching credential and became a teacher. By this time Don also had started a family resulting in a son and daughter, Tim and Jill.

Don continued his education, obtaining his Master’s Degree and Administrative Credential toward the goal of moving into education administration. By 1968, he was recruited for and accepted the position of Superintendent of the American School in Karachi, Pakistan.

Upon leaving Pakistan, Don pursued and completed his doctoral degree at the University of Toledo. From there, Don and the family still desired to see the world, so he accepted the position of Principal of the American School in Athens, Greece.

After two years in Greece, Don next accepted the position of the Principal of Taft High School in Hamilton, Ohio. Don was promoted to Assistant Superintendent in Hamilton during his five years in Ohio.

Don’s next challenge was to accept the Deputy Superintendent of Schools position in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was during this time that Don met the love of his life, Molly McDonough. Molly was also a Ph.D. in Education and has held several Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent positions over the time of her career. They were married and lived in Louisiana until he accepted the position of Superintendent of the Corona-Norco Unified School District in Corona, California in the early 1980’s.

It was during his time in Corona that Don was able to pursue his lifelong love of flying. He obtained his pilot’s license in the late 1980’s and was co-founder of the Commemorative Air Force’s Inland Empire Wing in Corona. The CAF Corona Wing was responsible for sponsoring and refurbishing several WWII era aircraft to flying status now on tour with the Commemorative Air Force shows.

Don’s final assignment before retirement was as the Superintendent of the Placerville School District in Placerville, California. Don retired in 2002, although he continued to be engaged in various types of educational consulting until his late 70’s. Don and Molly finally made their last move in 2018 to Prescott, Arizona to be close to family in the final years of their retirement.

Don is survived by his wife Molly of 41 years, his children, Tim & Susan Helms, Jill Anderson-Wold & Nick Wold, and Melanie Newkome. Don is also survived by his grandchildren: Stephen & Holly Helms and great-granddaughter Aubrey; Sydney Helms; Nick & Rachel Brown; Peter & Becky Brown and great-grandsons Bennett and Hayden; Brennan & Emily Jones and great-grandson Osce; Mariel, Molly and Emery Jones.

Don will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

The family will be having a private remembrance gathering.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the ALS Foundation.

Ann Thedosia Rossi

Briarton

June 25, 1925 - Feb. 19, 2023

On Feb 19, 2023 Ann Thedosia

Rossi Briarton passed peacefully. Ann was born June 25, 1925 to Will and Geneva Lawyer Rossi.

At 97 years young, Ann was 4th generation in El Dorado Co. Her great-grandparents settled here in the 1850’s.

She graduated El Dorado High School in 1943. She was a Native Daughter of the Golden West. She doted on her nieces and made many identical dresses for them through the years. She married Air Force pilot Dusty Briarton in 1955 and gave birth to their son Rusty in 1959. For 40 years her world was that of an Air Force wife. They loved the AF and retired in Colorado Springs. She was a talented florist and owned Rusty Ann’s Flowers.

Ann was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her son, her brother Drew Rossi and sister Ronda LaPorte. She’s survived by granddaughter Alex, great-grandson Mason, nieces Linda Parham, Dru Moeding, Kristy Lindstrom, Cindy Magee and Renee LaPorte, nephews Bob and Ron LaPorte and many great nieces and nephews. She also leaves her lifelong friend, Frances Feist. Their mothers gave birth to them 12 days apart, and they have lived down the hall from each other for the past two years in the same care center. They talked daily about their childhood on Myrtle Avenue. Ann was known for her spunk, tenacity and caring for all those she loved. She will be interned in Colorado Springs.

Ray Carl Snider

July 29, 1920 – Feb. 12, 2023

Ray Carl Snider, born in Glenns Ferry, Idaho July 29, 1920 and died on February 12, 2023 in Placerville, Calif. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marie, and his beloved daughter, Susanne. He is survived by his nieces Jane Machnik of Los Angeles and Ann Jolly and her children of Milton Freewater, Oregon and Southern California. He is also survived by Marie’s surviving family which he became very close to over the years. Following High School in Idaho, Ray worked a few years in California before entering the military in 1942. He served in Europe during WWII. Ray and Marie were married on January 14, 1947 in El Centro, Calif., living there until 1950. They moved to Los Angeles where Ray attended college and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from UCLA. He worked in the Aerospace Industry in the Los Angeles and Silicon Valley areas. The Sniders moved to El Dorado County in 1975. He tried his luck in real estate for a few years until he returned to the engineering field at McClellan Air Force Base in 1982. Following retirement the Sniders purchased an RV and traveled the country both alone and as members of El Dorado Sams, a local travel group. Ray was a member of Saint Patrick Church in Placerville and belonged to three social groups, Chapter 70 of Sirs Inc., El Dorado Sams and the Widowed Persons Group.

A celebration of life for Ray will be held Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Pines, Placerville, Calif.

Ray will be laid to rest in Saint Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Placerville, Calif.