Cindy Lynn Helsel's Obituary
Cindy Lynn Helsel, age 61 of Hudsonville, danced peacefully through the gates of heaven on Friday, March 21, 2025, after a courageous 5-year battle with cancer.
Cindy was born on December 28, 1963, much to her sister Carol’s delight. She was a sweet child with a big, beautiful heart and she overcame many obstacles in her young life with a strength and perseverance that came from her faith in Jesus. Cindy will always be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and zest for trying new things. She was an artist who could find beauty in anything, and she loved to paint and create. She showered people with love and openly shared her faith with everyone. After her cancer diagnosis, she made the decision to bless others by starting a ministry called Paintings for Patients. At every medical appointment she would bring gift bags with paintings and a hand-written letter offering encouragement. She would sit next to complete strangers, give them a gift bag, and tell them that she would love to pray for them. She also started a Facebook Page for the ministry that gave people the opportunity to post prayer requests and offer comfort and support. In addition to her love of painting, Cindy took up ballroom dancing, saxophone lessons, and loved to travel with her daughter, who was her best friend. She cherished her daughter more than anything and the two were inseparable. They took countless trips together to places like Nashville, Charleston, San Diego, and Barcelona, and not a day went by when they didn’t talk. She was also a loving dog mama to her fur babies and could always be counted on to sneak them a people food treat when she didn’t think anyone was looking. Cindy loved her family and friends with every fiber of her being, and she will be dearly missed by many. Cindy was preceded in death by her mom, Hattie Stanley. She is survived by her husband Steve Helsel, daughter Christina Helsel, brother Rick (Barb) Stanley, sister Carol (John) Scholma, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Georgetown Christian Reformed Church, 6475 40th Ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426 on Saturday, May 3rd. Visitation will take place from 9 to 11am, with the service to follow at 11:15am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Leila and Cyrus Poppen Hospice Residence. Arrangements through The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI. 49444. Please consider signing the family’s online guestbook and share memories at sytsemafh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Cindy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cindy?
Share a story where Cindy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cindy you’ll never forget.
How did Cindy make you smile?

