Salem…..

Helen M. (Stanton) Kostan, age 86, wife of the late Leon Kostan died Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at the North Shore Medical Center.

Born in Peabody the daughter of the late Bertram and Helen (Foster) Stanton, she attended the Carroll School in Peabody and had graduated from Peabody High School in the Class of 1939. Mrs. Kostan then attended secretarial school in Boston and was a secretary in the insurance industry until marrying her late husband in 1949.

A stay at home mom, she enjoyed raising her children and babysitting her grandchildren. Her entire family will miss her cooking and the way she celebrated the holidays. Mrs. Kostan enjoyed her arts and crafts which included knitting and crocheting for family and friends. She also enjoyed going out to dinner and having a drink as well as attending the North Shore Music Theater.

She is survived by four children Leon "Bud" Kostan and his wife Helen, Kathleen Kostan and Patricia Kostan all of Salem and Maureen Benson and her husband Bob of Lynn; seven grandchildren Robert and his wife Kim, Meghan, Melissa, Sara, Regina, Daryll and Christopher and two great grandchildren R.J. and Jack; a sister in law Joanne Stanton of Peabody and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two brothers Bertram "Buddy" Stanton and John Stanton.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, August 3, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. (cor of North St.) Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation will be immediately before the funeral on Monday from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to a charity of one's choice. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.