Obituaries
Helen Koken Seiss, 96
June 20, 2023
Helen Koken Seiss passed at age 96. She was born in Norristown, PA on June 21, 1926. She was not one to sit still and let the world pass by. She dove in to everything she could, leading with zealous passion. That determination and grit was evidenced across her entire life, whether it was in getting an education, raising her daughters, teaching her elementary school class, leading organizations at her church, or traveling, crafting, and helping others.
She will be dearly missed by her husband Gus Seiss, who she married in 1995. Together they traveled the world and supported each other. He was her steadfast companion during her last struggle with Dementia.
Helen started college when her youngest daughter started kindergarten. After graduation from Millersville University, she taught elementary school for 29 years in the Penn Manor School District. Helen loved it when her students would see her many years later and talk about the things they did in her classes.
She was an active member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. She served in many capacities in the Daughters of Penelope, including as President of Lancaster Chapter #196 and as District Governor. She was a member for many years in the choir and helped from the inception of the first Greek Bazaar at Church.
She is survived by her two daughters Joy Bounds and Diane Koken, her two sons-in-law Jim Bounds and John Herr, 4 grand children and 6 great great-grandchildren. Nothing made Helen happier than being with her family.
Helen was proceeded in death by her first husband James Edward Koken, who died in 1986 and was the father of her two daughters.
The family will hold a private funeral service for Helen. Internment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park Lancaster.
Memorials can be made to The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 64 Hershey Ave Lancaster PA 17603 or the James Koken Scholarship at Millersville University in memory of Helen Koken.
The family wants to thank the many excellent caregivers who touched Helen’s life at The Glen at Willow Valley, as well as Hospice at the end of her life.
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Condolences to the Family
July 01, 2023
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Koken-Seiss. I have such fond memories of Mrs. Koken who was my third grade teacher at LeTort Elementary School. Her kind and patient way of teaching still resonates with me to this day. She was my favorite teacher. Her grandson was my dad’s PA at LGH last summer. I would say that his grandmother’s caring way of interacting with others has to have rubbed off on him. My condolences to the family. Carol Susan Love
June 28, 2023
What an increditable woman! She could make good things happen and did not hesitate to rise to the challenge. She did this at Willow Valley with her fond-raising efforts and through our Greek-American community, especially by advancing the Lancaster Chapter of the Daughterso Philoptochos Society and supporting the efforts of her husband, Gus Seiss to promote and advance the AHEPA (Am Hellenic Educ Progressive Assoc). These are two wonderufl Greek Orthodox Church related organizations that promoted education of our youth. Of course, she and her late husband Jim Koken also raised two wonderul daughters. She frequently talked of how pleased she was of their families, and especially proud of her grandchildren. We will always remember Helen with great fondness. In our retirement years we joined Gus and Helen on several memorable trips together. May her memor be eternal… Nikita and Diana
June 28, 2023
So very sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. She and Gus were good friends of my parents, George and Georgia Nicozisis, several years ago. My mother always spoke fondly of them both, and enjoyed their many parties in years past. Deepest sympathies to Gus and the family from my mother, Georgia, and from my husband Adam and I.
Jeannie Kontis / Georgia Nicozisis
June 28, 2023
We were sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. May her memory be eternal.
Joe & Melanie Gargano
June 25, 2023
Joy, Diane and family,
Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. May happy memories carry you throught this sorrowful time. May her memory be eternal.
Nancy & Pat St.Clair
June 25, 2023
So sorry to hear the passing of Helen. Helen and I were in charge of making the Mother Day Corsasges for
church for over 15 years and I always enjoyed working with her. May her memory be eternal.
With much Love Mary & Carl McClune.
