Mrs. Helen B. Gryzan (Jaskiewicz)

September 12, 1920 - January 14, 2020

HELEN B. GRYZAN (JASKIEWICZ), age 99, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo, parents Dominick and Magdaline Jaskiewicz, and her siblings Chester (Josephine) Jaskiewicz; Martha Jaskiewicz and Carolyn Jaskiewicz. Helen is survived by her children Michael, Stephen (Thomas Reynen); Matthew (Ann) Gryczan; Christine (William) Whitmire; Patrick (Janina Valenza), 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Helen had the knack for nurturing, whether it was her family or her garden. She embraced that spirit as a child, working and playing summers at her grandparents’ farm in Boyne Falls with her siblings and extended family. Helen was athletic, coaching the girls’ basketball team at Sacred Heart Church as a teen and demonstrating into her late 50s how to turn a cartwheel to her daughter. She approached life with optimism, belief in the fairness of work and sense of adventure. After graduating from Union High School, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE during World War II and was stationed in Pearl Harbor. Soon after the war, Helen met Leo, who would become her husband of 71 years. She put her clever hands to work for her family without drawing attention to her service: sewing Halloween costumes, knitting sweaters, making boutonnieres for homecomings, tending her garden. Most of all, Helen cooked and listened. She gathered her family around the dinner table for holiday meals and delighted in the conversations of others, satisfied that they were there. The passing years slowed Helen down, but they didn’t diminish the warmth of her smile and her trademark wink. As her memory slipped, she would repeat the same question -- always about how someone else was doing. In every sense of the words, she was a faithful servant of God. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. at Holy Spirit Church, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, where she was a parishioner for more than 30 years. Interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday, Jan. 16 from 4-8 p.m. at Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Rd NW, and at church one hour before the funeral service. Family will share memories of Helen at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Holy Spirit Parish for the Art and Environment Fund to decorate the church. Condolences may be sent online to https://www.arsulowiczbrothers.com/obituaries.