Helen Salmon of Southold passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026. She was 103 years old.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 4th from 3-7 P.M. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 5th at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue, officiated by Father Dante Sabban.

Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.



Obituary


Helen Salmon, lifelong Southold resident, passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026. She was 103 years old.

Helen was born on June 21, 1923 in Cutchogue to Magdalena (née Rychlinski) and Frank Elak. She was one of nine children. She graduated from Southold High School as Valedictorian.

On June 9, 1946, she married the love of her life, the late Albert Salmon, at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue. Together they had two children. In her professional career, 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. She was also a member of Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church and the Rosary Society. The two most important things to Helen was church and family.

Predeceased by her husband Albert in 2008; Helen is survived by her children William Salmon (Lori) of Southold and Gayle Johnstone of Southold; grandchildren Christopher Salmon (Diane), Michelle Salmon, Peter Johnstone (Jill), Jennifer Koke (Mike); and nine great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 4th from 3-7 P.M. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 5th at 10:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Ostrabrama R.C. Church in Cutchogue, officiated by Father Dante Sabban. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Southold Fire Department Rescue Squad or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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