Two months before her passing, there was a part of Helen that went to heaven as she held her husband Clyde’s hand when he took his final breath. Shortly after, when Helen was called home, we can only imagine the rejoicing and glorious celebration as they reunited to continue their eternal love story.
Helen and Clyde were married March 10, 1951. For 72 years, their love story was long and will be everlasting. They raised three children, watched their family grow with five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The stories of their lives that they weaved together are the memories that will live in our hearts forever.
Helen’s parent’s Mary and Emil Mikkila immigrated from Finland. They met on the ship as they journeyed to the United States. Their Finnish culture and heritage were a cherished part of the values and traditions Helen shared and passed down throughout her life.
Helen was born at home in Waukegan, Illinois with the assistance of a midwife. As she recalled in her journaling, her earliest childhood memories were attending St. Mark’s Lutheran Church every Sunday for Finnish service. Her mom sang in the choir, and she loved the Finnish songs. She fondly remembers baking the Finnish cardamom bread, Pulla with her mom and tagging along to play with her beloved older siblings, Eino, Reino and Sally.
Helen was a proud “Bulldog” at Waukegan High School, class of 1950. She was a cheerleader and Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) Cadet Captain. During those years she forged tight friendships that spanned throughout her life. In that friendship circle, Helen was known as “Mickey” (short for Mikkila). Her high school girlfriends and their husbands later named themselves the “cookie company.” They traveled to Big 10 football games, celebrated life’s big moments with all the families and enjoyed their annual Christmas cookie exchange. Helen’s high school friendships and bonds were truly lifelong and will remain forever.
Soon after Helen and Clyde were married in 1951, they had their first born, Kathy followed by son, Scott and daughter, Peggy Jo. Helen noted on a small piece of paper in her journal that if she could do one thing differently in raising her three children, she said she would tell them every day that she loved them. If she only knew that Kathy, Scott, and Peggy did not need those words. They knew. She showed them her unconditional love every day with her devotion, actions, kindness, and unwavering support.
Helen was the heart that made their house on Leith Avenue a home. She was a loving stay at home mom, and she was always there to greet her children when they walked in the door from school. Helen
filled the house with cozy decorations, the smell of pot roast in the oven on Sunday afternoons, and music playing on the vinyl record player. Helen had an open door to the neighborhood kids for playtime and fun. She often said, “the more the merrier!” And every year, Santa left all three children in awe on Christmas morning. That magic she and Clyde cultivated became the hallmark of magic passed down through the generations.
Between caring for her children, she loved playing bridge with her Leith Avenue neighbors over potluck luncheons. As her children became adults, she took on part-time jobs as a house cleaner and Christmas gift wrapper at Carson Pierre Scott in the Lakehurst Mall. Helen also enjoyed many hobbies and pastimes. She loved knitting and crocheting things like sweaters, slippers, blankets, and scarves. She also liked doing daily crossword puzzles and playing nine holes from time to time. She had a strong passion for reading and often ordered a side of ice to keep her White Zinfandel cold at restaurants.
Helen loved watching her grandchildren grow. She lit up at the sight of her great grandchildren. Helen’s grandchildren will remember her baby blue frosted glass candy jar always stocked with spice gum drops, her affection for black licorice and her ability to make a “mean” French toast, grilled cheese sandwich and a collective favorite, her “dippy eggs”! Grandma Fawcett lovingly called her grandchildren by first and middle name when she wanted their undivided attention. She and grandpa were always there to support their milestones and divide their time to celebrate the Christmas holiday. They would be with the Makela grandkids on Christmas Eve and morning to see them open Santa presents. Then they would head to join their Fawcett Grandkids for Christmas dinner in Terra Haute, Indiana and later Madison, Wisconsin. Grandson Kevin fondly remembers them arriving every Christmas with their blue Buick trunk filled with presents.
Most summers Helen and Clyde vacationed for weeks at the family cottage on Pearl Lake in Red Granite, Wisconsin. Helen loved this time with her family. The laughter and singing of “Sauna-Sa” could be heard echoing across Pearl Lake waters. They all shared memories of fish frys, Elmer’s bar and crazy belly laughs as they loaded the pontoon boat with as many people that would fit without taking on water. Those were some of the greatest times.
Helen became the matriarch of the Mikkila family in 1994 when her brother Eino died. She carried the matriarch torch for nearly thirty years while staying connected to her nieces and nephews. She was proud of her nieces and nephews and their families and felt gratitude and joy watching their families grow through the years. She knew her siblings’ legacies carried on the values of hard work and love that began with her parents so many years ago.
Helen and Clyde spent many winters in Arizona before officially moving to Sun City West in 1998. They enjoyed 42 years of retirement! They loved attending the Phoenix Open every year, Cubs spring training games, going to annual U.S.S. Bennion reunions, traveling throughout the United States and returning to Wisconsin and Illinois every summer to visit family. They also loved being close to the rest of their family in Arizona.
In 2015 Helen and Clyde moved to Ahwatukee, Arizona to be closer to family. In 2017 they moved into Clearwater of Ahwatukee where they enjoyed playing BINGO, cocktail hours, live music and living out their days together, always by each other’s side.
Helen lived a long life. She was strong in her beliefs and had fierce loyalty and love for family. Her Finnish blood was pumping with Sisu or as she simply put it, guts. Her Sisu lay in her extraordinary determination, and positivity in the face of challenges. These qualities are integral elements of Finnish culture. This was Helen. Helen would often say as she parted ways with her loved ones, näkemiin. In Finnish meaning, until we meet again. She had a beautiful life’s journey. Her magnificent eternal journey has only just begun. We will miss her forever but love her forever, more. Näkemiin.
Helen was preceded in death by her parent’s Mary and Emil Mikkila, her siblings Eino Mikkila, Reino Mikkila, Sally Mikkila Adams and her nephews Bill Adams and Dan Adams. Also, her beloved cousin and best friend, Kaarina Mikkila Angell. Helen was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 72 years, Clyde Albert Fawcett, Jr.
Helen is survived by her children, Kathy (Rob) Makela, Scott (Pennae) Fawcett and Peggy Jo Fawcett. Grandchildren, Scott (Kelly) Makela, Ted Makela, Kiirsten (Dan) Kamrath, Chad (Mandy) Fawcett, Kevin (Jill) Fawcett. Great-Grandchildren, Kaarina and Kamryn Makela, RJ and Kamden Kamrath, Trey and Isla Fawcett, Luke, and Ellie Fawcett. She is also survived by her loving friend and Rob’s mom, Jean Makela, and her dear friend Mary Anne Klippstein. Also, her loving caregivers in recent years; Juanita, Susie, Jessica, Esmerelda, Sandy, Alma, Noemi and the kind staff and medical care team at Clearwater Ahwatukee.
A Celebration of Life will be December 9, 2023, at 11:00 am at Clearwater Ahwatukee 15815 South 50th Street Phoenix, Arizona 85048 with luncheon to follow.
On June 15, 2024, a reunion to honor and celebrate Helen’s life as the family matriarch, and Clyde’s life will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 3350 N. Delany Road, Waukegan, Illinois 60087 at 11:00 am with luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, should you desire, please make a contribution to a charity, cause or organization that means the most to you. That is what Helen would want you to do!
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