Helen Prochnow Castillo

Helen Prochnow Castillo, 84, passed away on January 14, 2017, with her family by her side. She was born to Gustav and Sara Maria Kanter on December 11, 1932, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Helen lived throughout Central America and Colorado as a child and young adult, always with her mother and eventually with her mother's second husband, Robert Thomas Turner. Helen became fluent in both English and Spanish at an early age, while gaining an appreciation of different cultures. She attended the University of Colorado, where she was a sister in the Tri-Delt sorority. Helen married Lloyd Alfred Prochnow in 1960, and they lived together in McLean, Virginia until Lloyd's early death in 1966. During that time, they had two sons, David and Daniel. In 1992, Helen married John Gonsalves Castillo, and they lived happily together until his death in 1998. Helen continued to live in McLean, Virginia until illness required her to move to Sunrise in Reston, Virginia for the last six years of her life.

Helen was an accountant and manager for Marriott Corporation, Caterair, and LSG Sky Chefs. In her occupation, she used her linguistic skills to interact with counterparts in Puerto Rico, South America, Central America, and Europe. She developed numerous meaningful friendships at work and always sought to help out her coworkers with both work and personal matters. After she retired, she worked part-time as a translator helping Hispanic school children and their parents communicate with school faculty and administrators.

Helen was one of the kindest and most generous persons that you would ever meet. She always went out of her way to ensure that family, friends, and even strangers had their needs met. She loved to go out to dinner, dance, throw parties, watch movies, and travel. Of particular importance, she was a magnificent mother and, as a young widow, sacrificed immensely to ensure that her sons had a wonderful childhood and were prepared for adulthood.

Helen is survived by her two sons, David Prochnow (Mary) and Daniel Prochnow (Deborah), as well as her grandchildren, Sara Noerr (Alex), Joseph Prochnow (Lisa), Alena Prochnow, and Erik Prochnow. She is also survived by three great grandchildren, Ella Noerr, Penelope Noerr, and Zachary Prochnow.

A burial service will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a yet to be determined date. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are invited to send a note of memories they would like to share, to David Prochnow, 2000 Swans Neck Way, Reston, VA 20191. Online condolences and fond memories of Helen may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com

Funeral Home:

Money & King Funeral Home

171 W. Maple Ave.

Vienna, VA

US 22180