Mrs. Helen Fabich, 83, passed away peacefully Friday evening, Feb. 25, 2002, with her family at her side at her daughter's home in Kalispell.

Helen was born March 8, 1921, to Joseph P. and Mary (Tonkovich) Kovacich in Anaconda and spent her entire life in Anaconda. She graduated from Anaconda High School in 1939. During high school she worked at the Hidden Lake Gold Mine at Upper Warm Springs Creek west of Anaconda. She met the love of her life, John Fabich, and married him in 1939. They lived at the mine until 1941, and then moved into town when their first child was on the way.

Eight years ago she moved to Kalispell when her health began to fail. She was cared for by her daughters in their homes in Kalispell, Spokane and Missoula. As she moved around over those years she was able to spend more time with her extended family.

She is survived by a brother, John Kovacich, of the West Valley, Anaconda; a sister, Fran Graham of Butte; her daughters, Joan and Bill McKiernan of Kalispell, Mary Kay and George Bennett of Helena, Nancy Archer and Tom Fedele of Missoula, Ellen and Bill Grubich of Spokane; three sons, Hank and Adrienne Fabich of Livingston, Danny Fabich of Anaconda and Len and Jeanie Fabich of Mountain Village, Alaska; 20 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Memorials in Helen's name are suggested to Hospice, 310 Sunnyview, Kalispell, MT 59901 or donor's choice.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated from St. Peter's Catholic Church, Wednesday morning, March 2, 2005 at 10 a.m. with Interment to follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Tuesday evening services will be held at the Anaconda Chapel of KT Riddle Funeral Homes. The Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m., with the Vigil service to follow at 7 p.m. Visitation/wake will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Funeral Home.

Services are under the care of the KT Riddle Funeral Homes, Anaconda.