Obituary of Helen Jane Peterson

Deceased: July 13, 2020 Helen Jane Peterson (nee North) was born in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Frank and Helen North, and sister of the late Barbara. Beloved wife of the late Leo Vincent Peterson. Loving mother of Leo (Molly), Karen MacKenzie (the late Andrew), Chris (Pauline), Lawrence, and Leslie Wajda (Edward). Also survived by 11 grandchildren (much of the time referred to as "the grands") and four great grandchildren (much of the time referred to as "the great grands"). Helen had a loving, faithful and charitable filled life . Helen was a very faithful and involved Catholic. She, along with her husband Leo, were founding members of St. Genevieve Parish and School in Livonia. All five children went through the school and Helen was active as vice president and then president of the Womens Guild and representative to the Council of Catholic Women. Her daughters attended Mercy High School where she and Leo started the school auction. Her sons attended Orchard Lake St. Marys Preparatory where she and Leo were co-presidents of the Moms and Dads Club and started the Polish Country Fair. Two days prior to death Helen received the Sacrament of The Anointing of the Sick to which she replied "this is a joyous day!" While Helens family came first, she believed there was always more to gain in life by being involved in many organizations: The Ladies of Charity (lifetime member and past president), Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, American Lung Association (past Womens Committees Volunteer of the Year), Project Hope (president of the Womens Division), March of Dimes PROS, St. Hugo of the Hills Womens Guild (past president, vice president and Charity Coordinator), Plymouth State Home, Detroit Symphony Orchestra (general chair of ASID Showhouse), Detroit Historical Society, Archives of American Art, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Bloomfield Republican Womens Club, Salvation Army, Cranbrook Academy of Art and Museum, Founders Society, the Village Womens Club (Chairperson for re-decorating and arranged to have the Governor speak), the Heathers Club and supported the Christ Child Society, Michigan Cancer Foundation and Center for Creative Studies. Helen enjoyed being with people which led to an active social life of parties, dinners, movies, live theater and playing bridge with multiple groups. She loved to travel whether it was to Florida, Harbor Springs, or with the Nomads. She once remarked "my suitcase is always packed and ready to go." She loved parades, especially on the 4th of July in Harbor Springs and Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. She was an avid reader of fiction, nonfiction and newspapers, was up on current events, fashions and styles, enjoyed public speaking, was open to the opinion of others, always had a positive attitude, would not publicly or privately criticize, and placed a priority on manners. A memorial mass will take place on a future date. Memorial tributes in Helens name can be made to: Ladies of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul (Oakland County), www.ladiesofcharityofsvdpoca.org, PO Box 602, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0602; or American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org, 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076.