Helene Marie Despres

Helene Marie Despres, age 92, passed away at Valley View Care Center on August 29, 2024. Helene was born in Detroit on December 23, 1931, to Denis and Germaine (LaRose) Janisse. Helene spent her childhood around the University of Detroit campus area, vacationing with her family along the shore of Lake Huron on both the Canadian and Michigan sides. She was a lover of the outdoors and all types of animals, always interested in what was crawling and moving around her. Helene was a member of the 1949 graduating class of Mercy High School Detroit, Michigan.

Helene attended Mercy College (University of Detroit) in Detroit and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She began her RN career working at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor where she met Dave at one of his brother’s parties.

Dave and Helene were married after a whirlwind 3 month courtship on June 30, 1956, in Gesu Catholic Church in Detroit.

In married life, Helene dedicated herself to making a home for the family. Helene and Dave raised 3 children, moving from their first home in White Plains New York, to Owosso, Lansing, and finally settling in Grand Rapids where she lived on the NE side for 60 years.

Helene was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament where she served the school and parish in various ways including as a volunteer librarian in the 60’s and 70’s, and on the funeral committee, where she could contribute her considerable cooking skills until she could no longer prepare the dishes. She also belonged to the Ladies Guild and quilting group. Once the children were grown, Helene returned to her career roots as a nurse working for 20 years at Kent Community hospital. She was also a volunteer at Meijer Gardens, where she obtained many specimen plantings for her gardens.

When they were not working, Helene and Dave spent time traveling the world enjoying all the cultures the earth has to offer. She also was accomplished (amateur) painter, seamstress, avid reader, gardener, an excellent cook who hosted many family gatherings, a lover of the arts and a collector of antiques. Helene was a hardworking traditional housewife of her generation and will be missed by those who knew and loved her.

Helene joins Dave her husband of 66 years, in heaven. She is survived by their children: Jeanne (John Richards) Despres, Paul (Mary Frances) Despres, Dan (Lois) Despres; grandchildren: Sarah (Matt) Meyer, Andre Despres, Julia (Tim) Barksdale, Danielle (Avery) Manor, Justin Crawford, Joe Despres, and Mike Despres; great-grandchildren Lucas Crawford, Amara Johnson, Alex and Abby Meyer, and Lily Barksdale; Dave’s brother Daniel (Kathleen) Despres and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Lucy Marie, her siblings Andre Janisse, Marie Therese (Frank) Floreno and Dave’s siblings Phil, Margaret (Johns), Tom, Bill, and Andre Despres, and her granddaughter-in-law Catherine Despres.

Visitation for Helene will be held on Thursday September 5, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel where the rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday September 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where the family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the mass.

Donations can be made in Helene's name to Support All Saints Academy - All Saints Academy - Grand Rapids, MI (asagr.org) or alternatively, donations to the ASA Foundation can be made by contacting the business office directly at (616) 447-7554.