Helen E. Sagan

Helen E. Sagan, age 92, of Warren, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Lawrence Sagan; cherished mother of the late Jimmy Sagan and Carol (Paul) Wilkin; and loving grandma of Bryan Booth and Eric Booth.

A visitation for Helen will be held Monday, January 22, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM Rosary, at D.S. Temrowski and Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, Michigan 48093. Helen will lie in state from 10:00 AM until time of funeral service at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at the funeral home. Following the funeral service, a luncheon will be held at the Century Banquet Center (American Polish Century Club) 33204 Maple Lane, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. Please share a memory with the family in our online guest book.

The following was written with love and adoration by Helen’s daughter, Carol Wilkin:

Helen Elizabeth Hurick, born June 22, 1931, to Nick and Theresa Hurick. She grew up near Livernois and Warren Ave in Detroit. Her parents were from Austria, Germany. Not many knew, but she had a brother Nick and a sister Anna, both of which died at very young ages. Nicky at age 14 and Anna at age 6. She never got to know them.

She graduated from Fordson High School in Dearborn, MI in January of 1950. She was part of the National Honor Society and excelled well in all of her studies, she loved math, algebra. To this day she could still figure out a fraction or an equation way better than I ever could. She worked for a short time at Prudential Insurance when she met my dad and quit shortly after.

She was my confidant; she would listen to everything and anything I had to say. She would rarely offer much of her opinion back but sit quietly and just say “I know what you mean honey”.

She was an equally good listener to her friends too. Daily phone calls with her dear friend Dorothy and Phyllis, they looked forward to the calls even if they didn’t have anything to say.

Lifelong best friend of 73 plus years, Aunt Dorothy Ofiara. They went to school together, worked at Kresge’s together in the records department. Went on dates together with their guys. Godparents to each other’s children’s. Her husband, Uncle Pete passed 10 years ago and I know Aunt Dorothy misses him every day. Their children, now grown, Ken, Janice, Denise and Gary. Many memories of our families celebrating together, vacationing together – Hubbard Lake – I call them my brothers and sisters.

More dear family friends – The Stachels - Aunt Dolly my Godmother, Uncle Mitch. Aunt Gigi and Uncle Joe Ramar. All 4 have passed but I have so many memories of spending almost every weekend and holiday together. Their children, now grown, Bob, Gary, Ronny and Jerry (who passed a year ago). Laura and David Ramar. Again, we all became like brothers and sisters. I’ll never forget the “cottage”. The copious amounts of beer that was consumed on those weekends! Kentucky Fried Chicken, The White Horse Inn and Cascadans and oh the laughs and jokes that were shared. “ooooo daddy” was the little inside joke about my mom and dad “being cozy” soon became 2 words that would get the biggest laughs.

Great memories of our friends on Dobel. The Kruemmer family. Uncle Joe, my Godfather, Aunt Millie. Prior to my mom and dad adopting, they became like 2nd parents to the 8 children they had. Mary, Marlene, Margaret, Kathy, Annie, Kenny, John and Theresa. (sadly, we have lost Mary, Kenny and Theresa) Mom and dad would take them to Camp Dearborn many weekends. Spoiling them and treating them as if they were their own. And I call them brothers and sisters as well. The Happy's, The Engs, Piners, Koetters, Kays, Robinsons, Dacenzo’s, Moninski’s, Kustarz. I’m sure I’m missing some. Families I’ll never forget.

It’s no secret obviously, that I was adopted. Along with my brother Jimmy who sadly passed in 1979. A mother I never knew (now knowing her name, Joanne Griffith 1933-2006) made one of the biggest decisions and sacrifices a woman could make and placed me for adoption, giving my mom and dad the greatest gift. I am forever grateful for both. I also found some missing pieces in my life puzzle and gained a few brothers and sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins along the way. And better yet, mom was along for the ride, my biggest supporter and she couldn’t have been happier to know that I found them. She even had the opportunity to meet both of my sisters – Stacey from California. She and I share the same mother, my Dutch roots. And Charmaine from Florida. We share the same Father (Aristides Panos 1924-2006) my Greek roots, and my wonderful cousin Elaine also from my Greek side. Who by the way is 1 of 13 children and also had a mom named Helen. My life has forever been changed and I’m so thankful my mom was there.

I often tell people that while my mom didn’t give life to me – she gave me a life that was filled with unwavering love. Of course, we had our moments like most mother/daughters do but she was always there for me, always loving, always forgiving. I aspire to be like her, she is my hero.

She met my dad in 1950 – had a fast and furious relationship – lots of drive-in movies, picnics in the park and visiting family and friends. She documented their Romance in a scrap book. Dates they went on, first kiss…Mom was a scrapbooker long before it became popular. Dad was in the Marine Corp and soon had to return to North Carolina. Engaged in November 1950, they quickly married January 6, 1951, and would have celebrated 73 years of marriage. Dad passed away at the too young age of 59 in 1986. She was on her own from then on at the age of 55. Never wanting to meet anyone else. She said she didn’t want to wash another man’s dirty underwear.

She devoted herself to taking care of my grandmother, my dad’s mom Alexandra or Lottie as most knew her and treated her with every inch of kindness she had in her heart until her passing in January 1992.

In between that time, I gave her 2 perfect grandsons. Bryan in 1988 and Eric in 1991 and she couldn’t be more thrilled to have the chance to spoil them as much as humanly possible. I think Bryan and Eric will agree that Grandma was the best spoiler around. She idolized them and would do anything for them. If Mom said No…they knew Grandma would surely say Yes! They were her life and I think kept her going on some of her worst days. We lived with her for many years and when they say it takes a village to raise children, it does. Mom was my village, my constant.

She worked in a daycare center which fulfilled her even more, thanks to my Godmother for suggesting it, it was the best decision– taking care of babies, spoiling them too. She enjoyed that for several years until she retired.

Her strength and perseverance surpass most. Surviving a house fire in 1977, coming out completely uninjured. The untimely death of her son in 1979. After years of trying to have children, praying it would happen, but didn’t. Then finally going through the adoption process, to then having her son taken away from her too soon. Somehow, still having that smile on her face. My Dad’s passing in 1986, another taken too soon and still that smile. Mom had more than her fair share of health issues. Multiple falls, strokes, fractures, broken bones, illnesses, you name it. But always seemed to have the ability to fight through them all and come out smiling…always smiling. I don’t know how she did it. God’s Angel on Earth for sure AND strong German stock I suppose – she was a fighter even when she thought she couldn’t fight anymore.

She spent over 40 years in her home on Virginia Dr, until she just couldn’t be on her own anymore. Thankful for best friends living close by who could come check in on her. Debby was a lifesaver for me many times and she loved Mom with all her heart and Mom equally loved her. I can rely on her for anything. Especially stuffed cabbage!

Bittersweet, we moved her to Oakmont Parkway Senior Living in April 2019. And I can’t say enough for another best friend, Robin. If it weren’t for her care, concern, love and compassion for my mom and her unselfish ability to do more for others than herself, mom would not have had the quality of life she did. While shy and nervous at first, she absolutely loved it there. We got her a motorized chair and she motored her way around that place. Making friends along the way. The staff adored her and always looked out for her. Who wouldn’t? Thank you to each and every one of you for taking her under your wing.

She spent a small amount of time in Sunrise of Shelby Assisted Living after a bad fall in May 2023 again the staff falling in love with her, taking care of her. Thank you to all of them as well.

In August we had to make the tough decision to move her to Wellbridge of Romeo long-term care. She knew (we knew) this was her final destination. She participated as much as she could, but always waiting for me so that I could join her at the table and begin the conversation with others. She would smile and say little. Unless it was BINGO, she got pretty good at that and won several times. I have the chotski’s to prove it! The wonderful Nurses, Physical Therapists, Aides that cared so deeply for my mom, I will never forget.

That smile remained on her face as best she could through her last days. When asked how she was, she’d say “I’m fine, thank you”…or “I’m doin”. Never wanting to complain or be an inconvenience to anyone.

We tried to talk about good memories as much as possible as she sadly had many bad dreams, screaming out in her sleep and feeling bad people were after her. I brought her pictures of her and my dad, of the boys when they were babies, pictures of her at graduation – just so I could try to put these positive memories in her head. I reassured her what a good person she is, what a good mom she is. She thanked me for being her daughter and thanked me for everything I did for her. We prayed over her hoping she knew she has a place in the house of the Lord.

She chose me and I was given the greatest privilege of being her daughter and to have her in my life for as long as I did, to have cared for her and become her advocate to make sure she had everything and more that she needed.

I told her that not only would I stand beside her, but I would also stand behind her and in front of her to protect her every move.

She was Mom, Mother, Momma, “Ma” as she would sign her cards to me and sometimes, I still called her Mommy. My heart will forever feel the impact of this loss, but also feel the impact of the love we have. A daughter is God's way of saying, "Thought you could use a lifelong friend." And that we were.

I’m forever thankful to my husband Paul who has been by my side and has been my greatest support through all this. Selflessly giving me the time I needed to dedicate to my mom. She loved you very much and you were so good to her, and you had nothing but her best interest at heart. Always making sure she was taken care of. Cooking for her, making some of her favorite foods just because you knew she would love it. She cried one day saying, “Thank Paul for letting me have you during this time” and that you’d get me back soon.

Bryan and Eric, my boys, my sons, my grown babies, my grown men. I love you both so much and I’m so happy you both had time to spend with her. It meant the world to her and me. She looked forward to her Jets Pizza with you and craved it towards the end. She’d say, “Just one piece and I like extra sauce!” I know she will always be in your hearts. We all thought she’d be here til 110! Seems it all went by so fast.

Always remember her humming some sort of tune and the “dee dee, da”, which I know drove us all a little crazy at times…lol We’ll get through this one moment at a time.

I appreciate you letting me have this moment to share a piece of my Mom with you. Make sure you always carry a piece of her with you.