Helen Elaine Alexander (nee: Uraneos) was promoted to Heaven into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 5, 2010. She had been a resident of the Lake Orion Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre and would celebrate her 90th birthday on September 30, 2010.
A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00am on Saturday April 24 at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 760 West Wattles Road Troy Mi, with Rev Fr. Stratton Dorozenski officiating.
More than anything else, Helen enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, playing bridge, eating Hershey bars, making her famous rice pudding and Halvah for her friends and reading. After retirement, she read almost 800 books. Her companions were the numerous violets that she nurtured and grew and also her Yorkie grand dog, Roxy.
Like millions before them, Helen's parents were immigrants who came from Gemlok Turkey, seeking a better life just prior to her birth in September of 1920 in Cleveland, Ohio. The family moved to Detroit when Helen was a young girl. She attended St. Mary's school in Greektown and later graduated from Eastern High school in 1938 and went on to work for Holley Carburetor. Helen had incredible typing skills, being capable of 80 wpm on an electric typewriter. She also took excellent dictation and shorthand. Her family ties facilitated her fluency in the Greek language. Helen retired as the store secretary at Bonwit Teller at Somerset Mall in late 1987.
Helen's work experience allowed her the opportunity to share her gregarious nature with her co- workers. She also possessed a spirit of volunteerism, donating time to the Cancer and the Heart Funds. She was well loved by all who knew her. Helen's smile was the hallmark of her personality and her thoughtfulness was reflected in the many cards she sent to family and friends over the years. Her ability to reach out to so many was in stark contrast to her petite stature.
Helen was the loving mother of Paulette Hatfield(Jay) of Palm Coast, FL Georgette (Gigi) Newsham of Rochester Hills, MI and Mary Jo Alexander of Dallas , GA. She was the dear sister of Catherine Konczak of Macomb, MI and the beloved grandmother of James Bodenstedt (Cathy) of Bourne ,TX, Kristin Bodenstedt of Arlington, VA, Kelly Newsham Majeske (Kevin) of Plano TX and Brandon, Logan and Jamison Krusac of Dallas GA.
Also she was aunt to nephew Lee Konczak, (Cindy and son, Nicholas) of St. Charles, Mo, Kathy Sodt ( Jim and sons Michael, Mark, grandson Ray) of Clinton,MI ,Nieces Kitty Dodd (Bruce, daughter Nikki) of Rapidan, VA and Toni McCollum (Sage) of Satellite Beach, FL.
In addition, she will be sorely missed by Art and Helen Lussos, John and Olga Loizon, Dick and Gloria Burke, Rita and Bill Taylor, Sweet Bessie McGraw, Mary Calamas, Sam and Elsie Chelmes and her longtime loving friend, Melba Lowe and Charley.
Helen was the kind of mother and grandmother whose love was eternal, infinite and real. It will carry through the days and weeks ahead, leaving a presence, which is a palpable part of her daughters and grandchildren. She will continue to be with them every day in every instance in which they take delight.
Thank you to those special angels, Sheryl Wrobel, Sheena, Nicole, Josh, Joseph, Alicia, and Raelyn at Lake Orion Nursing Centre.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lake Orion Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, 585 Flint St. Lake Orion, MI 48362 or the Alzheimer's Foundation, 20300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076.