Helen Leona Stewart

STEWART, Helen Leona Kalamazoo Helen L. Stewart passed away March 12, 2013, at Bronson Methodist Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 3, 1912, the daughter of Herbert L. and Julia A. (Crawford) Willett and a resident of Kalamazoo all of her life. On July 26, 1935, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Keith Stewart, Sr. They shared 67 years of marriage until Keith's death in 2002. When they were first married, they were both musicians and played in a small band at local spots in the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek areas. Helen was active in the school P.T.A, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was a local piano and accordion teacher for many years. Keith and Helen loved to travel and spent many winters in Florida, where their daughter and her husband lived. This past July 3, 2012, Helen celebrated her 100th birthday at a party given by her children at Park Place Assisted Living where she resided, and the rumor is that her party was the largest ever held there. Surviving are her children and their spouses: Barbara and John Bylsma of Jupiter, FL, Keith and Mary Stewart of Plainwell, Robert and Kara Stewart of Comstock, Donald and Diana Stewart of Portage, and Barbara Porter of Battle Creek. Helen had 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 4 step great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Surviving also are a sister-in-law, Mary Yonkers of Portage, a brother-in-law, Robert Stewart of Dayton, OH and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, son James R .Stewart, grandson William Bylsma, her sister and three brothers. According to Helen's wishes, cremation has taken place and she will be interred with her husband at a later date. There will be no visitation. The family wishes any memorials be donated in her name to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or Bronson Cardiac Care Unit. Friends may share a memory online at. www.avinkcremation.com.