1936 ~ 2024
Our beloved mother, Helen Stimson, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. The cause was complications from Parkinsons Disease, five days shy of her 88th birthday.
Helen Dolores was born on July 1, 1936, in New York City, and was a firstgeneration American.
Her parents, William and Katherine (Trosits) Drazenovich, met in NYC, married and raised three children. Many stories of her childhood were wonderful, including her favorite: walking ten blocks with her twin brother, Henry, a quarter in hand, to go to the movies. Our mom was a longtime fan of Turner Classic Movies.
Helen attended Manhattanville College, and graduated from the Columbia University School of Nursing, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree and became a Registered Nurse. In 1957, she met our father, Jonathan Stimson, Jr., at a Columbia University dance party. Soon they were married and started a family.
When Dad brought Mom to Leelanau County, where he spent his childhood summers, she was amazed at the beautiful beaches on Lake Michigan. In 1961, they purchased a cottage on Good Harbor Bay, which is still treasured by family and friends.
Helen was a very calm and caring person.
She was nurturing and generous, and loved to put others first. For two summers, Mom was the Shady Trails Camp nurse in Omena. She served on the Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Board of Directors, and also on the Republican Women of Leelanau County Board.
Helen was determined to make an impact and was instrumental in getting Kevins Law into the State of Michigan’s legislature, among many other accomplishments.
Helen was a dedicated mother who thoroughly enjoyed family and friends, music, long walks, swimming, cooking, entertaining and card games. A member of the Leland Country Club for many years, Mom played ladies- and mixed doubles tennis avidly for decades.
Mom will be deeply missed by her children, Sarah (James Karis) Stimson, Eva (Anderson Donan) Stimson, Jonathan (Greta) Stimson, Melissa (Adam) Begley; niece Teresa (Wayne) Lateer; grandchildren Elizabeth, Cass and Jack; stepgrandson Quinn; and grandnephew Andersen.
A mass for Helen was celebrated on July 2, 2024, at her cherished St Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where a burial will take place early next month. Donations may be made, on her behalf, to St Wenceslaus Catholic Church, or to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation.
