Helen Mackinnon

Helen MacKinnon, aged 93, passed away Monday, March 8, 2021 at her home in Allen Park, Michigan. Beloved wife of the late Robert. Loving mother of Gerald MacKinnon of San Diego, CA; late Gregory (Denise) MacKinnon, James MacKinnon of Melvindale, MI; Mary MacKinnon of Memphis, TN; and Roberta (Michael) Lerche of Franklin, TN. Also survived by five grandchildren, Katelyn, Anna, Matthew, Julie and Daniel, and one great-grandchild, Liam. Predeceased by her sister Laurice Hearn, twin sister Frances Jabbour, brother Carl “Buddy” Pearson, and infant sister Constance Elaine Pearson.

Born on March 23, 1927 in Jackson, Tennessee, Helen grew up near Reelfoot Lake in Tiptonville, Tennessee. After graduating high school, she and her sister Frances (valedictorian and salutatorian) earned their nursing diplomas in 1948 from the Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Memphis, under the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps program established by Congress during WWII.

Helen met Bob MacKinnon, her husband of 57 years, at a USO dance in 1945 near Dyersburg, Tennessee, where he was stationed with the U.S. Army Air Corps. They were married at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Dyersburg in 1948 and settled in the Detroit area where they raised five children. Bob passed away in 2005.

Helen worked as a nurse at several clinics and hospitals in the Detroit area throughout her career, retiring from Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital in 1988. She was a member of St. Frances Cabrini parish for nearly 70 years and was active in the Christian Mothers ministry, where, among many projects, she helped plan events such as the annual Jubilarian Celebration. She was also a volunteer at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center for many years.

An avid Bridge player, Helen belonged to several Bridge clubs throughout her life. She also enjoyed playing Scrabble, Solitaire and Bridge on her PC well into her late 80s. She loved music, musicals, movies, crossword puzzles and Jeopardy!

Visitation will be from 6:00pm - 8:00pm Friday, March 12 at Weise Funeral Home, 7210 Park, Allen Park (313-382-1150). The funeral service will be held 10:00am Saturday, March 13 (In state from 9:30am) at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 9000 Laurence (at Wick), Allen Park. A private burial will take place at Our Lady of Hope Cemetery.