Obituary of Helen Kambic

October 10, 1923 - May 26, 2016 A resident of Santa Cruz for 53 years, Helen was born in Chicago, Illinois to Michael and Caroline Dudek, the fifth of six children. During World War II she worked on staff at Army Field Headquarters where she met her dear husband Lt. Frank Kambic Jr. They married in 1944 and in 1945 welcomed their first child. After the war they returned to San Francisco, Frank's home, and then to San Carlos with their new family where they made their life with the joy of two more children. They moved to the wonderful Santa Cruz community in 1962. Always a sports enthusiast, Helen was a beautiful high diver, aggressive softball player, and avid golfer. She enjoyed golf almost as much as the many friends she made traveling to golf tournaments in Monterey and the Bay Area as a President of the Pasatiempo Women's Golf Club. President of numerous Mother's Clubs, supporter of her favorite charities and devoted fan of her children's baseball games, Helen also enjoyed working for many years at Morris Abrahms in downtown Santa Cruz, but perhaps her greatest joy was becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother to Lauren, Kathryn, Richard, Nicholas and Ian, and the many happy hours she spent with them. Her independence and generosity will be honored and remembered always. Helen was pre-deceased by her parents and siblings, her husband Frank and her son Kerry and we find comfort in knowing they are together again. She is survived by her daughter Karyn Kennedy (Thomas), her son Ken Kambic (Joleigh), her grandchildren Lauren Bernsdorf (Todd), Kathryn Kennedy, Richard Kambic (Jennifer), Nicholas Kambic, and great-grandson Ian Bernsdorf and many nieces and nephews. There will be a private family service held in her memory.