Helen Metaxas Koste

June 3, 1923 - November 30, 2021

Helen Metaxas Koste departed this life on November 30, 2021. She was born June 3, 1923 in Easton, Maryland, the daughter of Peter and Anastasia Metaxas. After finishing high school, she attended Drexel University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce in June 1944. She earned this degree traveling by train from Wilmington, Delaware to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania daily for four years. Following her graduation, she began her career in education at Wilmington High School in Delaware, teaching business classes. In the summers, she attended the University of Maryland, and as part of her experience she conducted research for Dr. Gordon W. Prange who incorporated her work in his definitive history of the attack on Pearl Harbor, “At Dawn We Slept.” While attending school at Maryland, she met the love of her life, a childhood acquaintance, James G. Koste of Easton, MD. They were married April 29, 1951, and spent almost 59 years devoted to each other, until Jim’s passing in March 2010. As was usual in the 1950’s, Helen was a stay at home mom for the next 18 years. During the latter part of this time, she earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Maryland in June 1970. With her two sons now older, she returned to the education field as an elementary school librarian and worked in the Prince George’s County Public School System (Maryland). Over the next 14 years she fulfilled her dream of helping to educate young children. She retired from education in 1983. In 2011, Helen moved to Midlothian, Virginia to be closer to her children, grandchildren, and not long after great grandchildren. She was an intelligent, engaging woman who loved to socialize. She was an avid reader, often working through multiple books at the same time. She also loved to work crossword puzzles and Jumbles found in the daily newspaper. Most importantly, she was a very loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who always put her family first. Auntie Cheeks, as she was called by some of her great nieces, will always be remembered for her signature move when greeting little children. which was to pinch their cheeks and give them a big kiss. Being around little children always brought a huge smile to her face. For the past 10 years, Helen was very involved in the life of her family and met many wonderful people in the Richmond area. She was grateful for the quality time she spent with her family and the many wonderful friends she met, whom she considered her extended family. Helen was predeceased by her parents and husband, Jim. She is survived by her two sons, George Koste, and Pete Koste (Jodi), her two granddaughters, Andrea Fahey (Joe), and Allison May (Stuart), and four great grandchildren, Margot Fahey, Audra Fahey, Riley May and James May. Other survivors include her two sisters, Cecilia Fletcher, and Mary Krutchen (Charles), five nieces, one nephew, and three great nieces and five great nephews. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at Woody Funeral Home Huguenot Chapel from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Church in Easton, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please consider making a donation to Drexel University. You may Send a check by mail made payable to Drexel University to: Drexel University P.O. 8215 Philadelphia, PA 19101 Checks sent should include the memorial dedication of Helen Koste in the memo line and “Unrestricted Fund.” Or you may make a gift online at https://giving.drexel.edu/Koste