Helen Tannis

Helen Tannis, aged 92, completed her earthly journey in the early morning of Thursday, April 30th at Allegiance Hospice Home in Jackson, surrounded by her children. Helen was born on Valentine’s Day 1923 in Detroit, and was the daughter of Spiro and Masa Stamcos of Macedonia. From aged 7 to 15, she was raised in the village of Armensko in Greece, where she attended school learning three languages. She returned to Detroit in 1938 caring for her brother and father working at Brown’s Bakery and a converted auto factory during World War II. She met and married Nick J. Tannis of Jackson in 1947, making Jackson their home. Helen raised three children and cared for her mother-in-law over many years. She was a waitress for over 25 years at the Chicken Inn Restaurant. People knew her by her hard work ethic, her generosity, loving nature and the unique gray streak in her thick lovely hair. She was active in the PTA at Trumbull Elementary School, a member of the demitasse club and a co-founding member of St. Demetrius Orthodox Church, where she sang in the choir, cooked delicious ethnic pastries, cookies, breads and more for their bake sales and special occasions, and developed many life-long friendships. She enjoyed traveling to see friends and family, her nieces and nephews and their children, going on trips with the Jackson Trippers, and occasional casino outing, and loved dearly her grandchildren and great-grandchild. She was a resident of Arbor North Semi-Assisted Living for over 5 years and developed loving friendships with the residents, owner Kevin Ganton and his family, and the fine care-givers who called her “Baba Helen.”

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her mother-in-law Elinka, husband Nick and brother John.

She is survived by her children, Chris Tannis (Diane Kerr), Jean Tannis (Dennerll), Arlene Tannis-Coward (Jim), Grandchildren Jason Tannis (Caroline), Laura Lee Caruso (Ian), Raymond Dennerll, Diane Dennerll (Ashley Long) and Gloria Tannis-Coward plus Great-Grandson, Elliott Caruso.

Helen had many friends and had “adopted” children and adults who were honored to have her as a loving role model and accepting soul.

All memorial activities will take place at St. Demetrius Orthodox Church at 3043 Seymour Road in Jackson, Michigan. Visitation Friday, May 1, 2015 from 5-7 p.m. with Panikhida service at 7 p.m. Visitation Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 10 a.m. and funeral services at 11 a.m. at St. Demetrius Orthodox Church, followed by burial at Woodland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Demetrius Orthodox Church. A 40 day memorial service will be held on June 7th, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Demetrius Orthodox Church.

Chas. J. Burden & Son Funeral Home

1806 East Michigan Avenue

Jackson, MI 49202

(517) 784-3104