Helen Mach

Helen Ruth Mach, age 85, of Hillsboro, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024 at her residence.

A rosary will be recited 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2024 followed by Mass of Christian Burial celebrated 10:30 a.m. at the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Hillsboro with Rev. Nghia Nguyen as celebrant. Burial will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott. Helen will Lie-In-State from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home in West.

Helen was born December 14, 1938 in the Chatt Community of Hill County, to Anton J. Pustejovsky and Helen (Hykel) Pustejovsky. On January 2, 1960 Helen was united in marriage to Ernest James Mach at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Abbott. The two were parents to three sons. Helen grew up in Hill County and graduated from Abbott High School as salutatorian in 1956. After graduation she worked for Amicable Life Insurance for 5 years in the actuary Department.   After being a homemaker and seamstress for several years she went to work in personal lines Insurance for about 30 years for various agencies. Among the awards received were Insurance Woman of the Year, ACSR Personal Lines, and FIWT. She also served as President of the Insurance Women of Waco. She retired from the City of Hillsboro as cashier and billing clerk. Helen was very active in the Our Lady of Mercy Church in Hillsboro. She completed the Lay Ministries program with the diocese. She was a teacher in the CCD program for about 30 years. Helen served on the Parish Council as secretary for many years. She was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of American Court #2143 in Hillsboro. She was scholarship chairman for 25 years. She served on many other committees.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernest Mach of 58 years; brothers, James and Michael Pustejovsky; and an aunt, Judy Ridlehuber.

Survivors include three sons, Richard and wife Marcy, Eugene and wife Susan, and Patrick and wife Jill; 13 grandchildren, Rachael McCoy and husband Johnny, Lauren Mach, Allison Woolums and husband Ben, James Mach, Annalis Mach, Joshua Mach, Jack Mach, Angela Mach, Samuel Mach, Daniel Mach, Sophia Mach, Benjamin Mach, and Amy Kennedy and husband Tyson; 14 great grandchildren, Lindsey McCoy, Elizabeth McCoy, Mason McCoy, Noah McCoy, Olivia McCoy, Spencer McCoy, Savannah McCoy, Shepherd McCoy, Keegan McCoy, Killian Woolums, Viviana Woolums, Azelea Woolums, Hayden Sinkule, and Bryson Kennedy; brothers, Barney Pustejovsky and wife Lucy, Joseph Pustejovsky and wife Carolyn, and Tony Pustejovsky and wife Beverly; sisters, Bernice Picha and Janice Hurst; a sister-in-law, Elaine Pustejovsky Brown and husband Robert; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pallbearers are James Mach, Joshua Mach, Jack Mach, Samuel Mach, Matthew Pustejovsky, Stephen  Picha, Frank Bajer IV.

Memorials may be made to the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church or the Hillsboro Interfaith Ministries.