Helen M Morsink

Helen M. Morsink, age 87 passed away on August 13, 2020 in Grand Rapids. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Bert and Ethel (Reichel) Morsink. Dr. Morsink is survived by a brother, Robert (Jaqueline) Morsink of Crozier Virginia, nephew Andrew(Terri) Morsink of Galena, Ohio, niece Kristin (Samuel) Young of Lexington Kentucky, Kathleen Bodwin of Grand Rapids the Bodwin family of Lansing and the Jones family of Traverse City, longtime friend, Ann Hedberg and her daughter Tracey, several great nieces and nephews, many cousins, special friends and colleagues. Dr. Morsink was educated in the Grand Rapids public schools, attended Grand Rapids Junioer College, and received a B.S. degree with a major in history and political science with a secondary teaching certificate from Western Michigan College (University) in 1995. For eight years she taught high school social studies and supervised a variety of extra-curricular activities in the Godwin Public Schools before continuing graduate school full time in Ann Arbor. She earned M.A., Ed.S. and Ph.D degrees from the University of Michigan where in 1965 she was the recipient of the Alice C. Lloyd Fellowship. In 1966 she joined the faculty of Central Michigan University where she attained the rank of full professor. For twenty two of the twenty five years she was on the faculty, she administered an off-campus student teaching program in West Michigan. Upon retirement in 1991 from CMU she was awarded the rank of professor emeritus and was Grand Marshal of commencement exercises that year. For three years following "retirement" she remained and adjunct professor in the CMU history department and also served as a visiting lecturer at Aquinas College. For two summers she taught courses for the U of M summer school in Grand Rapids. In all, her career spanned forty years. Dr. Morsink was active in many educational and service organizations at the national, state and local level. she was a former member of the Grand Rapids Community College Alumni Board of Directors and a long time member of the West Michigan Teacher Education Council. She was a founding member and first president of the U of M Women's Athletic Association, and spent eighteen years on the board of the Humane Society of Kent County serving fourteen years as its president. She was the recipient of many awards and honors including membership in academic and professional honor societies, listing in several Whos Who directories ; was named an Outstanding Alumna of Grand Rapids Community College in 1982, and was Humane Society Humanitarian of the year in 1988. One most valued recognition was the dedication to her of the 1960 Yearbook by the Godwin High School class of 1960. She was a lifelong member of Central Reformed Church. Helen had many varied interests; travel, reading, home maintenance, art type projects and athletics. In her younger years she was active in what few athletics were available to girls and she had the opportunity to play both field hockey and basketball on the inter-collegiate level via club sports. she was a strong advocate of athletica and their value for girls and women. Helen enjoyed the friendship and acquaintance of a wide range of people. Described by some as "the voice of reason" she was a low-key style leader/servant, unpretentious, with a healthy sense of humor. She especially enjoyed facilitating the success of others. She wanted to be remembered as a person of kindness, peace and goodwill. Cremation has taken place. At her request there will be no local visitation or services.