Helena K. Melnick was born July 2, 1950 to Peter and Pleun Henry in New York, New York and died peacefully in Hoschton, Georgia on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. She was the beloved wife of Steven J. Melnick (deceased) for 45 years. She is survived by her two daughters, Tracey (Paul) Slack and Sandra (Chris) Rack with their children, Alyssa & Brianna. She predeceased her mother Pleun Gilbert and leaves behind her sisters, Michaala Speijers (Thomas Weinkle), Karen Daugherty (Michael), niece Audrey; Gerri Planas (Eddie); and an extended group of family and friends. On her husband’s side, she is survived by her sister-in-law Cynthia Hahne, nephews Jeff and Matthew; her brother-in-law George Melnick (Elaine) and niece Susan. Earlier in life, Helena lived in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Mississippi and Florida. She worked hard as a bookkeeper and financial controller in several industries. She was a fiercely devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She loved animals and was never without at least one, if not four dogs. She left behind her constant companion, mutt-on-mutt, Misty. She brought kindness, compassion, organization, joy and humor, intellect, sense of fair play, forgiveness and most of all, love to those in her life. Helena believed in fairness and opportunity for everyone. She enjoyed reading, keeping up with world events, and as an avid Democrat was committed to watching Bill Maher and Rachel Maddow. She enjoyed brain teasers, and games of strategy, crocheting and spending time with her dear friend, Vicki Kelly and her many kind neighbors. She was grateful for her doctors, particularly, Dr. Craig Brown, from N.E. Georgia Diagnostic Clinic. She found great strength in the care community through: Tracy Johnson of Arbor Terrace at Hamilton Mill, who provided excellent counsel and understanding; Optum Hospice Care and their team – Samantha, Ginger, Jackie, Chalene, Bonita, Denise and Tina; caregiver Irma Bastidas; Hilary Eldridge, owner of Home Helpers who found Wolumah Kpabe to provide the comfort and companionship to ease her life on a daily basis while she struggled with the recent loss of her husband, Steven and her progressing illness. She will be missed forever. And wherever she is with Steven, we hope they serve jelly donuts. Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA, 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0966.