Josephine Helt, 91, a resident of Alterra Villas, Clinton, formerly of North Utica, passed away at St. Luke's Healthcare Center on August 27, 2008. Josephine was born in Utica, NY, April 15, 1917, the daughter of Joseph and Antonina Szarek. She was raised and educated in Utica schools. On July 1, 1956, in Utica, Jo was married to Walter S. Helt. Mr. Helt passed away December 25, 2002. For a number of years, until her retirement, she was a self-employed hairdresser, having a salon in J.B. Wells Dept. Store in Utica. She was a member of St. Mark's Church, North Utica. Jo will always be remembered for her loving and appreciative personality. She looked at all her relatives, friends and aides as her guardian angels. Jo is survived by four nieces and nine nephews, Gail Perry, Rosemary Danyew, Carol Speciale, Sophia Kennehan, James Bednar, Fred Bednar, Joseph Sturr, Gary Pole, David Pole, Richard Babowicz, Stanley Helt, Edward Helt, Jr., and Walter Helt. She also leaves several great-nieces and nephews and one brother-in-law, Dominick Babowicz. Besides her husband and parents, Jo was predeceased by four sisters, Angela Sturr, Mary Szarek, Estelle Bednarczuk and Genevieve Pole. She was also predeceased by an infant brother, Francis Szarek. Jo's family would like to express heartfelt thank yous to St. Luke's 5th floor staff, Dr. Goodman and his staff, the staff at Alterra Villas, especially Donna, and her private aides, especially Janet and Suzy, for all their loving care and kindness to Jo during her illness. Mrs. Helt's funeral will be held Saturday, August 30, 2008, at 9:30 from the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica, and at 10:00 at St. Mark's Church, N. Utica, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Her entombment will take place at Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum at Holy Trinity Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home will be from 8:30-9:30 prior to her Funeral Mass. Donations in Jo's memory would be appreciated to the Alzheimer's Association.