Helen E. Shamka

Helen E. Shamka, age 97, of Portsmouth, died Friday, June 12, 2015, at Village House Nursing Home of Newport, RI. Mrs. Shamka was born September 13, 1917, in New York, NY, the daughter of the late Peter and Margaret (Waletitsch) Michelitsch. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, John Shamka, in 1990. Helen was a homemaker and also worked for many years at Bendix Aviation in New Jersey. She was also a Girl Scout leader and active in the PTA for many years while living in NJ. Helen was a talented artist, receiving training in Germany, and produced many fine oil paintings. She also loved playing tennis, playing well into her seventies, and enjoyed bowling in her youth. Helen was a member of the Monmouth County, NJ Chapter of the NARFE and the Portsmouth Senior Citizens. She was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands, NJ for over 50 years and an active member of the church's Rosary Altar Society.She is survived by her daughter, Helen Rudolph and her husband Dr. Norman Rudolph of Portsmouth, RI, her son, John Shamka of Manchester, NJ; five grandchildren, Eric Rudolph and his wife Lynn of Portsmouth, RI, Alexandra Roberts and her husband Dr. John Roberts of Hillsborough, NC, Kurt Rudolph and his wife Adeline of Canandaigua, NY, Kristi Shamka of Manchester, NJ, and Timothy Shamka and Beth Greene of Rosedale, MD; and six great grandchildren, Max Rudolph, Ava Rudolph and Wil Rudolph all of Portsmouth, RI, Alexa Roberts of Hillsborough, NC, Erich Rudolph and Addie Rudolph, both of Canandaigua, NY. She also leaves many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family members.She was predeceased by her brothers, Peter Michel, and John Michel, her sister, Margaret Michel, and daughter-in-law Susan Shamka.She will be laid to rest with her husband in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Red Bank, NJ.A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date in New Jersey.Please remember Helen in your thoughts and prayers.Charitable contributions in her memory may be made to charities of your choice. Cemetery Details Mt. Auburn Cemetery 580 Mt. Auburn Street Cambridge, MA,