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Helen Elizabeth Kirwan
Helen Elizabeth Kirwan
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Helen Kirwan Obituary
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December 30, 2024,
Beloved wife of Honorable John Robert Kirwan for 54 years (preceded in death) and sister-in-law of Joseph (Mary Ellen) Kirwan.
Beloved sister-in-law of Frank and Elizabeth Jeannette (Kirwan) Pinkelman.
Loving mother of Mary Helyn, Kathleen (Brett) McMillen and Colleen (Michael) Brady.
Dear Gammy of Johnny, Colleen, Kate, Patrick and Declan.
Sister of Marianne Collins Brennan and John Michael Collins (deceased).
Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Helen was a graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Detroit and attended Gesu Catholic Primary School. She attended the University of Detroit and graduated with a Teaching Degree. Helen had a meaningful career in education, working with students both at Highland Park Elementary and in special education at Northville Public Schools.
Helen loved her faith and family more than anything else in the world. She enjoyed skiing and golfing in her younger years; boating, hanging out with her dogs (Bowie, Rudy, Sandy and Mister Butters) and going out to dinner in her recent years. Helen was a bright, loving light who touched everyone she came in contact with. Her beautiful spirit and infectious sense of humor will be with all who knew and loved her, always.
Visitation at O'Brien-Sullivan Funeral Home 41555 Grand River January 9, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM with a sharing of memories at 7:00pm. A gathering of family and will take place at Our Lady of Victory,
133 Orchard Drive, Northville, MI 48167 January 10 from 10:00am until the funeral Liturgy at 11:00 AM. The service for Helen will be lived streamed at www.olvnorthville.org
"To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die"
Donations can be made in memory of Helen to the nuns of the Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament, who have been a comfort and blessing to Helen throughout her life. Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament
29575 Middlebelt Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Or Capuchin Soup Kitchen
1820 Mount Elliot St. Detroit, MI
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Bill & Lynne Elsesser
January 9, 2025
We were blessed to have been neighbors to the Kirwans for more than 30 yrs. Those were the best of times. We shared weddings, graduations, dinners and dogs with that fine family.
Helen was a most kind and joyful soul.
Godspeed dear lady, say hello to John for us. My Irish ...
Lynne and Bill Elsesser
Ann Howard
January 2, 2025
I got to know Helen through her daughters, especially Colleen. In junior high, we all piled into their Caprice Classic and drove straight through to Florida. Three people in front, three in back. They were more used to long, crowded car rides than I was. Florida was a blast, as were all the times we went to their cottage up north. Judge Kirwan was just as sweet as Mrs. Kirwan. Mrs. Kirwan made an impression on me. When I was a freshman in high school, Colleen and I were on the basketball team together at Mercy. I got Mono and was stuck home for a few weeks. It felt like everyone's life kind of marched on without me. On top of being sick, it was depressing. Mrs. Kirwan bought me a chocolate shake from McDonald's and came over while I was home with Mono. It made me feel so good to know that someone was thinking about me. I tear up when I think about it now. Anyway, whenever anyone gets really sick, especially a child, I try to go over to the house with some sweets to let them know that they weren't left behind. I always think about Helen and her kindness when I do that. She was the best. I wish all the Kirwan girls the best. I know how much you'll miss your mom. She was wonderful and will live on in your kindness. XOXO
Dave Miner
January 1, 2025
Helen was enduringly positive and upbeat with a great sense of humor! She leaves an indelible impression on my life and She´ll be greatly missed.
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