Helen Madelyn George

Helen Madelyn George, age 91 of Warren, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2020. She was born May 20, 1929, in Deurth, near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Chranze and Domenica (nee: Scarpone) DelSignore.

Helen was the youngest of seven children and is survived by her sister, Marie. She graduated from Uniontown High School in 1948. After a few years she eventually made her way to Detroit by way of Akron, OH where she stayed with her sister Marie (they affectionately referred to each other as S.A.S throughout their lives) and husband, Ed, before moving to Michigan for work.  Her plan all along was to come to Michigan for employment and room with friends, but she knew her parents would not let her leave straight for Michigan. She finally arrived in Michigan and roomed with her friends from Uniontown while working for Hudson’s Department Store.

Helen soon met her beloved Joseph, and they were married in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. They started a family and had three children and were together for only a short time before Joe's passing in 1969. Helen was always a strong, independent woman and this was never more evident than when she raised her young children on her own. She always put her children first and made sure they had what was needed the most, love, love and more love. Her family, especially her sisters Ann (Nicholas) and Marie, were always present, lending their support throughout the years.

Helen and Joe had three children, Brian, Kevin (Jennifer), and Lisa (Michael) Propst and was a proud, loving and cherished grandmother of five, Daniela, Joshua, and Nicole Propst, Christina and Joseph George. She is survived by her dear sister Marie. She was always proud of her children and grandchildren and during her retirement years, she spent a lot of time being with her grandchildren. Sunday breakfasts were a must at Grandma’s house and pancakes were always on the menu. She was their biggest fan, attending their school events, plays, concerts, robotics, dance recitals, sports activities and sharing in their accomplishments. She always had a ‘little something’ for them when they came over, whether it was a trinket or a memento, something of special significance or a just in case you might need this type of a thing.

She retired after 25 years of service from Warren Community Schools as a teachers’ aide for special needs children. This was one of her special gifts.

Not only did she touch her own children’s hearts but many other’s as well, from family to friends and neighbors, to her own children's friends’, in special ways throughout her life. Helen is survived by many nieces and nephews to whom she was close to and forged special bonds. She always knew when to reach out, what to say or what not to say, when to lend support and when to just listen. These were her other special gifts.  

During her life Helen enjoyed many of life’s pleasures. She liked playing golf, monthly card club with friends and family and using coupons, traveling to Hawaii and the Bahamas. The one great pleasure is she never met a garage sale or antique store she didn’t like. She could shop for hours at these places finding treasures and in her later years, shopping the grocery aisles of Kroger or Aldi’s also became her other adventure.   She enjoyed having a glass of beer especially pumpkin beer during Octoberfest.  She especially enjoyed going to Northern Michigan, first with her longtime companion, Jack Turner, and later with her children. She loved animals and once came home with an entire litter of puppies so they would not be sent to the animal shelter which is how we came to have our dog, Mandy. She enjoyed traveling back to Pennsylvania to visit her family, sitting at Beverly’s kitchen table telling stories. We would load up the car and head down for Thanksgiving and summer vacations, and family reunions. She had a zest for life and a great sense of humor. 

Helen was the beloved wife of the late Joseph. Loving mother of Brian, Kevin (Jennifer), and Lisa (Michael) Propst. Cherished grandmother of Daniela, Joshua, Nicole, Christina, and Joseph. Dear sister of Marie Bednarik. Special aunt of many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her siblings Ann Christopher, Edith Raymond, James, Armand, and William; and long time companion Jack Turner.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, private services for Helen will be held at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home in Warren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity dear to Helen, Families Exploring Down Syndrome for Club 21 and Bocce Ball Activities.

Please share memories of Helen at her guest book below.