Helene L. Valade

Helene L. Valade, age 75, passed away on June 29, 2024. She was born on July 12, 1948, at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, to William James Adrian Valade and Mary Helen McKee Valade. Helene spent most of her youth living in Royal Oak, but moved to Huntington Woods when the family moved there in 1961. She graduated from Berkley High School in 1968 and went on to receive an associate degree from Highland Park Community College, where her proud father handed her her degree.
Helene had many career interests throughout her life. Early on, and while living in the Metro Detroit area, she worked as an executive secretary at Smith, Hinchman and Grylls, one of the oldest architectural firms in Detroit, where she met her second husband, Alan Mahin. After many years at the firm, the couple wanted a slower pace to their lives, and moved to East Jordan in 1991 to build a home together and start new careers in beautiful northern Michigan.
Helene loved animals (she owned a variety of cats and dogs over the years) and found the perfect job working at Lake Street Veterinary Clinic in Boyne City as a receptionist. She also volunteered at the local Humane Society. For a period of time, she also owned and operated her own hair salon and massage therapy business at Boyne Mountain Resort. After Alan's death in 1998, Helene decided to stay in Boyne City. She had grown to love the area, especially the natural beauty of the lakes and countryside, but also all the people she had come to know. And her downstate family often took vacations near Boyne City to spend time with her.
In September 2023, Helene moved to Berkley to be closer to her family and spend time with her siblings and nieces and nephews.
Beloved wife of the late Alan. Dear sister of Alice (the late Sonny) Findlay, William (Sue) Valade, Sharon Valade, Diane Valade, and Kathleen (David) Penley. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. In keeping with Helene's love of animals, memorial contributions to the Michigan Humane Society are appreciated. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.