Hellen Kwant

Born Hellen Torres in 1930 in Bogota, Colombia. The early loss of her sister Paulina, just starting her own medical career in her 20’s, impacted her greatly; Hellen would earn a degree in legal studies before emigrating to the United States. Hellen met the love of her life, Henry Kwant, while working in Miami, Florida, and their family grew to include 5 children: Henry Jr., Martha, John, Klaas and Nancy. Together they would remind their children constantly that each could become whatever they wanted to be. Hellen and Henry would instill an exceptional work ethic in all their children, along with a commitment for community service.

In 1973, the family would move again - this time to Lowell, Michigan, moving into a hundred-year-old schoolhouse - where they would become a part of the community. Hellen would make lifelong friendships while connecting with local artists, advancing her talents in a variety of crafts, while at home the Kwants cultivated an extraordinary flower garden. Many visitors would drive to the top of the hill, where they lived, to be met with an explosion of colors from hundreds of dahlias, roses, zinnias, cannas…just about any flower which would grow in Michigan. Thanks to the support of the Franciscan Sisters, the family learned to raise sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits.

As her children left the nest and Henry, Sr. passed in 1991, Hellen began the next phase of her life: volunteering around the world for different not-for-profit organizations such as the Red Cross. Her bilingual skills were often utilized, providing resources to disaster victims. Hellen would serve in Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Marshall Islands, Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Niger. She would serve weeks in New York after 9/11 as well as numerous other domestic disaster locations. Hellen would be honored formally on many occasions, but the greatest joy for her was the personal connections she would make wherever she traveled. Hellen had a knack for endearing herself to locals who would forever consider her part of their families.

It is a testament to her spirit and the support of her family - particularly her daughter Martha - that she would continue to live independently and contribute to her community in Lansing through her 91st birthday. She would watch her family grow to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reveling in the accomplishments of each and every one. Hellen always gave of herself to others in need, even in the end, donating her body to Michigan State’s Willed Body program for use in training future medical professionals.

Hellen was preceded in death by her sisters Paulina Torres and Inez Quintero of Colombia, as well as her husband Henry of Lowell, Michigan. She is survived by her children Henry Jr. (Diane), Martha (Lisa Saltman), John (Carolyn), Klaas (Candace Cowling), and Nancy (Michael McKearney, father of their daughter). Grandchildren include Kirsten London (Matthew), Seleana D. Saltman, Sabrina Nelson, Ian Kwant, Aerin Kwant and Gabriella McKearney. Great-grandchildren include Ezra London, Jerome Watkins, Laiana Nelson, Deuce Nelson and Jumar Hughes. Countless cousins and in-laws from both sides of the family cover the globe and are held dearly as part of her family tree. She will be missed by all and continue to inspire everyone she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be given in Hellen’s name to the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell, the Heifer Project and/or the American Red Cross. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.GrLansing.com