Helen Steed, 89, of Traverse City, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, Nov 17, 2005, after a short stay in Munson Medical Center.
Born March 12, 1916, near Kingsley, she was the daughter of Earnie Lee Newmarch and Etta May (Smith) Newmarch, who predeceased Helen in 1918, and stepdaughter of Frances (Lance) Wooliver Newmarch. On June 1, 1936, in Buckley, she married Stanley Steed, who preceded her in death in 2001.
While she was small, she helped her mother tend “Central” for the Buckley Telephone Exchange and later took over the job by herself. During her years at Buckley High School she played piano for the school orchestra, the Buckley Dance Band, and also for Sunday School.
Her summers were spent picking cherries on Old Mission Peninsula and working in food service at Interlochen National Music Camp. Her favorite class was home economics, where she learned the skills that would embark her on a career as a seamstress.
She fashioned most of her own clothing as well as sewing for many others. She especially loved to create wedding dresses and crafts for the bazaar at First Congregational Church, where she was a member.
She was a life long resident of the area, except for the 17 years that she spent in Stockton, Calif. With her husband, Stanly, who was employed by Parsons Corporation for many years.
The foremost focus of her life was her family, and she was never happier than when she was involved in the activities of her children and grandchildren. She was a blessing to all who knew her and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by a daughter, Sally A. (Richard) Lewis of Traverse City; son, Stanley (Janette F.) Steed Jr., of Traverse City; daughter-in-law, Darlene Steed of Traverse city; sister-in-law, Agnes (James W.) Steed of Grand Township; sister-in-law, Rose (Crawford) Newmarch of Tampa, Fla.,; 11 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Stanley Steed; son, Lee James Steed; and brothers, Lloyd Newmarch and Harold Kimball.