Helen Eileen Roach

1930-2022

Helen Eileen Gilleran Roach, 91, a generous and fun-loving spirit, passed away peacefully in her sleep on All Saints Day, November 1, 2022. Helen was born December 19, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Kathleen (Brunett) and George Gilleran. She graduated from Dominican High School and Marygrove College before marrying the love of her life, Kenneth R. Roach, with whom she raised seven children in Grosse Pointe Woods while attending Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Harper Woods, Michigan.

Helen and Ken traveled the world together, and she loved to tell stories of their adventures in Europe and Asia. Her tales of saunas in Helsinki and tailors in China always made her dinner guests laugh. A consummate host, she made everyone feel welcome in her home. Whether Helen was serving steak and shrimp for Christmas Eve dinner or having her grandkids over on a Sunday afternoon, her warmth and hospitality were legendary. When Michigan winters got too cold, she also enjoyed bringing friends and family to the condo she shared with Ken in Florida for games of bridge and rounds of golf. As much as she loved a good party, Helen loved the people she shared it with even more. One of the greatest joys of her life was seeing her family expand to include 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, all of whom made the holidays even sweeter.

Helen was predeceased by her parents, husband Ken, daughter Kathy and son-in-law Gabe. Helen is survived by her daughters Colleen (Rick Krausmann), Eileen (Joe Bogosian), Maureen (Terry Tobin), Heleen (Bob Heaton), sons Ken (Dr. Robert Chavez) and Dan (Georgia Karones), brother Dick Gilleran (Carole), sister-in-law Judy Gilleran and many other close friends and relatives.

Visitation will be from 10 am to noon on Saturday, November 12 at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, with a memorial service at noon and luncheon to follow.

Memorials to Detroit Cristo Rey High School for the Mary Fran Gilleran Scholarship (5679 West Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209-2157; www.detroitcristorey.org); IHM Sisters (610 W. Elm, Monroe, MI 48162; www.ihmsisters.org); and Self-Help International (207 20th St NW, Suite A, Waverly, IA 50677; www.selfhelpinternational.org).

Always perfectly coiffed with smiling blue eyes, Helen was adored by everyone who knew her. As her childrens’ friends often said, “I only wish she were my mother.”