Helen Elaine Filice 78, passed away unexpectedly on May 21, 2025 at her home in Marina, California. Helen's death came as a surprise that has deeply saddened her family and friends.

Helen is survived by her inseparable companion Tony Bear, a black Schipperke, her brother Billy Martin of Aromas and sister Linda Maki of San Martin. She also leaves behind many other family members and friends who will miss her.

Helen was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 25 years Anthony (Tony) Filice who passed in 1997, and her parents Madeline Ruth Martin and Gene Martin.

Born in Santa Cruz, and growing up in Morgan Hill she attended Machado Elementary and graduated from Live Oak high school in 1965. She was the homecoming queen and a cheerleader.  As the daughter of Gene Martin, she enjoyed riding and showing horses especially her favorite horse Rondo. In 1965, she was Miss Grand National at the Cow Palace, and a Sweetheart at the Salinas Rodeo.

Helen attended Gavilan College and followed in her mother's footsteps studying business. Her first job was at Winn insurance on First Street where she met her soul mate Tony, who owned the service station across the street. They married August 12, 1972 at the Mission in San Juan Bautista. Soon after marriage, they started Filice Western Store in San Martin. Helen and Tony's hard work and dedication made it one of the finest western stores around.  Helen continued to run the store following Tony's passing before eventually retiring to Santa Cruz.

In later years, Helen found joy in simple pleasures, tending to her garden, visiting with her neighbors on Chamberlain and brightening their days with thoughtful gifts of chocolates and cookies. Helen enjoyed cooking and one of her greatest pleasures was making her brother Billy Boy persimmon cookies. Her daily activities usually included taking Tony Bear for walks, rides to the beach, and making him meals of salmon and steak. Much of her time was also spent talking to her best friend, Charlotte Squeri for hours every day on the phone.

Her family would like to express how grateful Helen was to be blessed with so many wonderful people in her life, her neighbors, all the dear friends she and Tony had in their life, and the community that patronized Filices Western Store. Helen's generosity and love for people and animals will live on in many organizations such as Wounded Warriors, St. Jude, and Santa Cruz/Monterey/Santa Clara County animal shelters.

Helen did things her way, just like her perfume she chose to wear "MY WAY" and at her request there will be a private burial and no funeral. A quote that gave Helen comfort during Tony's passing and is suitable at this time "God has made everything appropriate to its time."