Helen Josephine Kwitt

HELEN JOSEPHINE KWITT April 7, 1914 ~ May 26, 2012 Helen J. Kwitt, age 98, died peacefully on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Sunrise of Troy. She was born April 7, 1914 in Detroit to Peter and Catherine (Jozefczyk) Barc, and was raised in the City. She attended St. Hyacinth School and Northeastern High School. Helen was a retired U.S. Deputy Marshall, beginning her career in the 1950's. She was a very smart woman – progressive in nature and very determined. She began working outside the home when her daughter was nine years old in an arena that was predominately male, and she was extremely successful. Helen worked with Federal judges and was responsible for transporting and escorting females to Federal prisons, including the prison where Martha Stewart stayed. She was also responsible for payroll and witnesses. She retired in 1984 at the age of 70. When she retired she and her husband, Harry, really started to travel, which they truly enjoyed. They went to Mackinac Island every year, and also liked going on cruises. They also became very involved with the Knights of Columbus, Cardinal Mercier Assembly, in Hamtramck. They were very involved in the fish frys, and Helen served as Secretary and Treasurer for the LOTA. Helen enjoyed crocheting every night. She loved playing card games, especially pinochle – played weekly and almost always won. For years after retirement she and Harry and Helen's sister Bernice, were in charge of the Pierogi Committee and were active at the Pierogi Festival at Sweetest Heart of Mary Church in Detroit. Helen and Harry moved to the Heathers in Bloomfield Hills in 1992. When they moved there Bernice also moved to a home in the same complex. They always lived a few houses apart. In December, 2005, they all moved to Sunrise of Troy. Helen will be missed by all, especially her family. She is survived by her husband of 76 years, Harry. They married September 14, 1935 at Sweetest Heart of Mary Church. Also surviving is her daughter, Donna Jeziorski (Lawrence), Grandchildren Jeffrey Cooper and Jeanne Cooper (Wade), Great-grandchildren Lauren, Emily, and Henry Cooper, and Niece Beatrice Gosine. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Bernice, Harry, and Irene Barc. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 31, 2012, from 3-8 PM at A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road, Troy (between Maple and Big Beaver Roads), with a Rosary Service at 7 PM. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for Friday, June 1, 2012 – 10 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 4580 N. Adams Road, Troy, with Reverend Edward A. Belczak officiating. Visitation at church begins Friday at 9:30 AM. Interment Guardian Angel Cemetery in Rochester, Michigan. Memorial Tributes may be made to: Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, 4440 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48207 -or- Odyssey Hospice, 25925 Telegraph Road, Suite 102, Southfield, MI 48033 -or- Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott, Detroit, MI 48207