Helen Mary Swenson

Helen Mary Swenson Grosse Pointe Woods resident Helen Mary Swenson passed away Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, surrounded by friends and her daughter, Pamela. She was born Nov. 7, 1917, in Terre Haute, Ind., to Stella (nee Biggs) and Timothy McKillop and graduated from Otter Creek High School in 1936. When World War II broke out, she took the Civil Service exam and took a job in Dayton, Ohio, to be close to Terre Haute. In July of 1942, she met Willard Eugene Swenson, an Army Air Corps officer stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, at the Christian Science Church in Dayton. They married Aug. 28, 1942, after a brief courtship. In 1953, the family moved to Grosse Pointe Woods. When her children were older, Mrs. Swenson began work at University Liggett School, eventually becoming secretary to the head master of the upper school. She enjoyed her 19 years of service making many new friends and acquaintances and the student interaction each day. Attending student theatrical productions was one of her favorite pleasures. After her husband of 62 years passed away in 2004, Mrs. Swenson continued to live in Grosse Pointe Woods attending the Grosse Pointe Farms Christian Science Church, playing cards with the Grosse Pointe Woods Seniors, reading avidly and enjoying time with her children and grandchildren. She loved cooking and sharing meals with family and friends. Over the years she helped many family members, opening her home to them and welcoming the opportunity to do so. In April, she moved to Shore Pointe Village in St. Clair Shores and later to Sunrise on Vernier, where she received loving care from the caregivers and hospice workers. Mrs. Swenson is survived by her children, Linda (William) Mitchell, Pamela Roberts and Willard Jr. (Jane); grandchildren, Michael (Krista) Hall, Brian (Michelle) Roberts, Sean Timothy (Jill) Roberts, Anne Elise Swenson, Ellen Elizabeth (Philip) O'Niel D.D.S. and David Swenson; and great-grandsons, Joseph Hall, Jackson Hall and Tyler Roberts. She also is survived by her sister, Ruth Lorene Church. In addition to her husband, Willard Sr., she was predeceased by her brothers, Darrell and Charles and her sister, Rosealia. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday from 2:00 pm until the time of the Memorial Service 3:00 pm at A. H. Peters Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Woods. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Memorial Park in Terre Haute, Indiana. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Grosse Pointe Public Library, 10 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 (In memory of Helen Swenson on checks), or University Liggett School, 1045 Cook Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 (In memory of Helen Swenson for Liggett Merit Scholarship and Light House Mission 1450 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, Indiana, 47807.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236