Helen Marie Priest

She was born on May 5, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan to Ernest Henry Valente and Mary Valente (Angelosanto). Helen graduated from Cooley High School, Detroit, Michigan in 1941.

Helen worked for several Detroit advertising companies after graduating high school. Employed during World War II, she was required to type orders for war equipment till the war ended. She was later hired by Chevrolet Advertising Division and remained there till her marriage.

Helen met Ron Priest when she was in her early 50's and Ron in his mid-30's and were later married. Our first mutual attraction was classical music. Our first date was a picnic dinner on the hill at Meadow Brook Amphitheater at Oakland University and listening to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. We both shared other interests that strengthened our ties: traveling Michigan to tour art shows and wonderful restaurants. Helen changed her high heal shoes for hiking boots to walk the forests of northern Lower Peninsula and many places across the entire Upper Peninsula with Ron. Helen and Ron married in 1975 at Botsford Inn in Farmington, Michigan, the former first stagecoach stop from Detroit to Grand Rapids. Helen and Ron moved to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan where Ron had recently been transferred to. It was there that Helen would volunteer as supervisor of "Candy Stripers" at Central Michigan Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She was also hired by Central Michigan University to coordinate meeting schedules for after hours meetings. In East Lansing she volunteered assisting students in a class of English as a second language. Helen and Ron both supported the Lansing Symphony Orchestra for many years as well as the MSU symphony. We donated to construction of the practice music room for string instruments during the expansion of the Billman Music Building on the MSU campus. Through an endowment, Helen and Ron supported several music students.

Helen, fondly known as "firecracker" found her life an adventure with new surprises throughout her life. Though death comes to us all, Helen contributed to the betterment of her community and to those who knew her. Our families thank the excellent staff at Home Instead and their exceptional care givers that allowed Helen to remain in the comfort of home for her last years.

Helen is survived by her beloved husband, Ron; as well as two brothers, and several nieces, nephews and many friends.

A memorial service celebrating Helen's life will be held, Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 11;30AM at the East Lansing Chapel of Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River, East Lansing, MI 48823.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Helen to a charity of your choice.