Helen Mary Werth

Helen Mary Werth, of Rochester, returned to her Heavenly Father on May 8, 2010 due to causes incident to age. Helen was born January 18, 1915, in Tamarack, Michigan to George Keast and May Roberts. When she was six, her family, including her sister Margaret “Peg” Keast Fortune and brother Weldon Keast, moved to Rochester where she has lived for the past 90 years.

Helen graduated from Rochester High School I n1932. She found work at Michigan Bell and Detroit Edison before marrying Charles Mitchell on October 28, 1937. They had two children, Don and John, before Charles died in 1950. Helen married Leslie “Hank” Werth September 10, 1955. Hank died in 1994 and Helen remained on Fairview Street until December 2009. She is survived by her sons Don Mitchell (Marilyn) of Littleton, Colorado, and John Mitchell (Bonnie), of South Jordan, Utah; Hanks’ children, Barbara Werth of Pontiac, ,former mayor Tom Werth (Joan) of Rochester, and Bill Werth (Denise) of Rochester Hills, as well as ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their families.

Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and caring friend to many people. She demonstrated an inner strength and independence, surviving the death of two husbands and choosing to live by herself for the last 15 years. She enjoyed Rochester and all of Michigan and had many fond memories of Trips “Up North”. She had a seemingly endless capacity to know about events in the area and to recall birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates. She celebrated family birthdays, Christmas and family events with remembrances for all. She donated her time, talents, and love to her family, her community and her church. She was a volunteer at the Older Person Center of Rochester when it occupied the old Woodward School. She enjoyed music and was a choir member of St. Paul’ Methodist Church until 1977. She was honored by St. Paul’s in August, 2009 as the longest attending and active member. She was an original member o f the Friday Girls Bridge Club which has met regularly since 1936. She loved cooking treats for her family, including Cornish pasty pie and cookies.

Funeral service 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Dr., Rochester; visitation Tuesday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Interment Mt. Avon Cemetery in Rochester. Memorial contributions to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Rochester would be appreciated. Please leave memories and condolences at www.pixleyfuneralrochester.com