Helen Salmon of Southold died Aug. 31, 2026. She was 103 years old.
Born June 21, 1923, in Cutchogue, she was the daughter of Frank Elak and Magdalena (Rychlinski) Elak and was one of nine children. She graduated from Southold High School as valedictorian. On June 9, 1946, she married Albert Salmon at Our Lady of Ostrabrama RC Church in Cutchogue. She worked as a bookkeeper for Goldsmith’s Boat Shop for 47 years. She was a member of the quilting club and the Hats for Newborns Organization, and was also a member of Our Lady of Ostrabrama RC Church and the Rosary Society. Her family said the two most important things to her were church and family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Albert, in 2008. She is survived by her children, William Salmon (Lori) of Southold and Gayle Johnstone of Southold; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Friday, Sept. 4, from 3 to 7 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama RC Church in Cutchogue, officiated by Father Dante Sabban. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart RC Cemetery, adjacent to the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
