Helen Doris Nelson

Our mom and grandma Helen Nelson, age 88, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at McLaren Bay Regional Medical Center. Mom was born in Detroit, MI to Thomas and Ethel Lackey. She lived in Lincoln Park for many years before moving to St. Helen in 1969. Mom retired from the C.O.O.R. ISD where she worked as a para-professional with the mentally impaired. She had a special connection to those with special needs and she loved it when her former "kids" would come up and give her a big hug whenever they saw her. She was also a certified braille translator and spent countless hours translating school books into braille. After retirement, mom looked forward to getting together with her fellow "CoorVets" for their monthly dinners. She was also a member of the Kirtland Ms club and Trinity Episcopal Church of West Branch. Mom was a fantastic baker-she was known especially for her melt-in-your-mouth pie crusts and was always trying out a new cheesecake recipe. She had a green thumb so her flowers were always beautiful, and she was always willing and ready to go to the casino and play some slots. She loved Mackinac Island and until her health declined, spent several days each fall on "her" island with her daughter Laurie and her granddaughters. What fun we had on those trips! She also loved to tell a good joke (she was so good at it that you often didn't realize it WAS a joke until she got to the punch line!) especially if it was a bit "off color". Mom is survived by her children that she loved so much; daughter Donna Jones-Sieloff of West Bloomfield, MI, her daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Carl Strickland of Perry, MI, and her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Alishia Lynd of Tallahassee, FL. Her beloved grandchildren are Becky Fernandez, Amy Fernandez, Taylor (Tim) Thompson, Brett (Angela) Strickland, Bethany (Darwin) Pavon, and Cory Lynd. She was a very proud great-grandma to Brady and Charlie Thompson and Simone and Abbott Strickland. She is also survived by her brother Alfred (Connie) Lackey and niece Teri (Bob) Hardwick. Mom was blessed with many good friends with whom she shared such good times and who stepped in to help her when her health declined. We want to give a very special thank-you to Marilyn Allison, Carolyn Waller, PJ Coldren, Gwen Smith, and best neighbor ever, Rick Hartwick. She loved you all so much. Last but not least, mom is survived by her furry companion of the last 15 years, Cissy. Mom was preceded in death by her two great loves, Donald Jones and Herbert Nelson, her beloved sister Cynthia Hoskins, and her son-in-law Gregory Sieloff. We are suggesting that contributions be made in mom's name to Trinity Episcopal Church or the Ogemaw County Humane Society or to any organization you think mom would like. Mom and Grandma Helen, we all loved you so much and you will be so missed. You were most definitely one tough, unique lady. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Sunday, July 6, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 4:00 p.m. The Rev. Brian Chace will officiate.