Helen Milewski

Beloved wife of the late Eugene J. Loving mother of Marcia (Jim) Fournier Born to Frances & Alexander Leksutin on January 4, 1922 in Detroit. Helen was the second youngest of five children – all her siblings were boys. As a young girl Helen loved to go fishing with her Dad and proudly walked her pet chicken, Booboo Choo Choo, on her leash throughout the neighborhood. Helen learned to shoot dice in the alley and play baseball with her brothers and friends. As a young adult Helen worked at the Nortown Theater in Northern Detroit as an usherette where My Mother met the man of her dreams, my father Eugene J. Milewski. The Early Married Years Traveled with my father as a service man in WWII My mother and father lived in North Detroit, Huntington Woods and finally settled in Warren. My mother worked as an inspector at Dodge Main plant in Hamtramck on the B52 Rudder (aka Rosie the riveter). I was born on December 20, 1955 after several miscarriages. My father wanted 12 children. He told my mom that after it took so long to have me that, “it won’t hurt to keep trying”. My father left Chrysler to divert all his energy to E.J. Welding Company with my mom they started several years before. My father died from a massive heart attack on his way home after visiting a customer on March 4, 1968. I was 12 years old. After becoming a widow at age 46, my mom continued to run the welding business very successfully and had devoted workers and customers. My mother raised me on her own. She never gave up: she put her entire being into raising me, providing for me, ensuring I received a college education and a wonderful life. The Later Years My mother opened her heart to Jim Fournier and welcomed his family into her life when we married on September 1, 1990. They always took care of her. From changing a faucet (David) to catching a bird (Tom) that got into the house, to being there during personal emergencies (Laurie). The Fournier family took care of Helen and thoughtfully included her in all holidays and events. My mother became “Grandma Helen” to Matt, Kurtis, Janae, Kayla Aleshia and, more recently, “Great Grandma Helen” to their children. My mother enjoyed “girl talk” with my sisters-in-law, Laurie, Jennifer, Susie and Nadine The Final Years My mother lived independently in Warren until she could no longer live on her own. After her last surgery and fall, My mother stayed with us in Milford as My mother healed with the ultimate goal to returning home. In August 2017 my mother fell at our home. While in the hospital the doctors determined she had had several minor heart attacks and mini strokes over recent years. In October 2017 my mother became a resident at the American House senior living complex here in Milford. In late February 2018 my mother required the first level of hospice care. My mother passed peacefully listening to her favorite music that my father sang to her such as - Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Tennessee Waltz, Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime and I Will See You in Apple Blossom Time. Throughout her Entire Life Enjoyed time with family My mother was a wonderful cook and when she opened her home her kitchen was the place it where it all happened. Always very generous Truthful…sometimes too truthful Brutally honest… coupled with truthful could be very interesting My mother loved to talk, and veraciously read current events She had a passion for animals, particularly dogs - Coco and my Mom were exceptionally close Although my mother enjoyed home life, she enjoyed travel too. Her most precious memories were us traveling to Hawaii and, almost annually to Miami, Florida. Her last trip was to Las Vegas in 2000 after successfully beating colon cancer, and Jim upgraded her to first class while we sat in coach A very devoted and loving mother. My mom was always focused on me ensuring a safe haven, someone to talk to, to trust. My Mother - she was everything to me.

Helen Milewski

January 4, 1922 - March 19, 2018