Mrs. Helen C. Waters' Obituary
WATERS, HELEN C.
Norton Shores
Helen C. Waters, 85, passed away early Sunday morning, May 18, 2014. She was born July 16, 1928 to Floyd and Dorothy (Yakes) Crankshaw in Muskegon, and lived almost all of her life here. Helen is survived by her husband along with 3 children, Paul R. Waters of Ravenna, Patricia (Joseph) Waters-Harding of Indianapolis, James B. Waters of Norton Shores; 4 grandchildren, Rose, Grace, Paul II, and Kathleen; 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Rowland. THE MEMORIAL SERVICE for Helen will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Mona Shores Baptist Church. You may visit the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Waters may be made to Mona Shores Baptist Church Sign Fund.
After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1946 Helen went to work as a receptionist for Dr. Robert Risk. She soon met her future husband who worked with her brother at Buel’s Shoes and on September 9, 1949 she married Harry C. Waters. Paul was born in 1950 in Muskegon and they went back and forth between Ann Arbor and Muskegon while Harry was getting his degree in accounting. After Harry completed his degree, the family moved to Niles where Harry took a job with Kawneer Corporation. Pat was born in Niles in 1952. They soon moved to Albion where Harry took a job with Lonergan Manufacturing. Jim was born in Albion in 1953. They moved back to Muskegon in 1955 when Harry took a job with Kaydon Corporation. They eventually bought a house on West Manitou Circle where they lived for many years. They moved to Applewood Lane in 1969 and then to Norton Hills Road in 1977.
After marrying, Helen held part time jobs as a bookkeeper for a construction company (Kelly-Havermans) and later made deliveries to corporate customers for the House of Travel.
Helen was a skilled seamstress. She fashioned beautiful pieces of clothing for her family and herself, as well as various household items (slipcovers, drapes, duvets). Her needlework embellished many special pillows, linens and framed verse gifts for loved ones. She was a meticulous housekeeper and a good cook and baker. Her annual variety of decorated Christmas cookies, Christmas bread and fruitcake were a delight to her family and friends. Her pies always received high compliments. She loved gardening and had an extensive garden when living on West Manitou and also at the Norton Hills home. Helen was an accomplished pianist, playing music in her early years at church along with her brother (bassoon, saxophone) and later for many years she was the church piano player and organist. She was a lifelong attendee of Mona Shores Baptist Church becoming a member at the age of fourteen. She was the last surviving family member of the charter families that formed the church. Helen was also a longtime participant in the Women's Auxiliary to Hackley Hospital.
Helen and Harry enjoyed traveling, making many trips around the USA including Hawaii and into Canada (Vancouver, Nova Scotia) as well as to Baja California. Their international travels began in affiliation with the Mona Shores Choir trips to Europe. Helen’s position with the House of Travel afforded them the opportunity to travel to many more places around the world:
- England - Ireland - Scotland
- France - Germany - Austria
- Belgium - Switzerland - Luxemburg
- Italy - Spain - Portugal
- Andorra - Liechtenstein - Estonia
- Greece - Turkey - Denmark
- Sweden - Finland - Norway
- Russia - Latvia - Panama
- Caribbean
What’s your fondest memory of Helen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Helen?
Share a story where Helen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Helen you’ll never forget.
How did Helen make you smile?
