Helen Paulin - Mark

Helen Paulin Mark was a kind and caring woman, always willing to lend a helping hand to a friend in need. Above all else, she was a devoted wife and mother, and dedicated herself to the care of her beloved family members. Friends and family will take solace from the knowledge that Helen lived a long, rich, and fulfilling life, overflowing with friendship, hobbies, travel, and a warm and loving family. Helen was born on February 21, 1915, to proud parents Joseph and Tekla Tillie (Flyjtuta) Matuz. She was their first child, and when she was born, she was so tiny that she could fit in a cigar box! Helen was soon followed by two younger brothers, Frank and Steve (sadly, Frank died in infancy). Helen always looked out for her younger brother, and in fact saved him from drowning when he was six and she was nine. The Matuz family lived in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, where Joseph owned and operated J. Matuz Grocery. Running the grocery store was a family affair, and Helen was expected to do her part. As a result, she didnt participate in any extracurricular activities, instead walking over to the grocery every day after school. The family lived about a mile from the school, and Helen usually made the trek in high heels! At the grocery, one of Helens jobs was cleaning out the pastry cases she was the only one small enough to fit inside and reach the glass. In her free time, Helen enjoyed going to state fairs and beach parties with her family. When Helen was a senior in high school, she decided she wanted to study interior design at college. Unfortunately, her family had different plans they wanted her to become a bookkeeper. Helen rebelled, and quit high school early in protest. She found a job at Anaconda Wire in Muskegon, Michigan, as an inspector. One day, after a long week at work, Helen went out dancing with a young man. While at the dance, she met her dates brother, Charles Paulin. Helen and Charles fell in love, and were married in 1935. In the years to come, Helen and Charles were blessed with two wonderful children, whom they named Karen and Rodney. After several years in Muskegon, the Paulin family moved to Indiana, where Helen worked at Browns Pharmacy. Helen was a great mother a follow the rules parent who loved her family very deeply. During the summer, she and Charles often took the children to Silver Lake, and she always made the holidays special. Helen also enjoyed taking the kids on expeditions such as picking apples, peaches, or wild blueberries, and hunting mushrooms. Usually, Helen packed a picnic lunch and they made a day of it. Tragically, Charles passed away in 1964, and Helen and her children moved back to Muskegon to be nearer to family. Back in Muskegon, Helen was hired as a clerk at Hahns Pharmacy. She and her family were faithful members of the Central United Methodist Church. In her free time, Helen enjoyed flower gardening and sewing. She was active in the community, and belonged to the Muskegon Garden Club, the NARFE, and the Macabees Drill Team. She also liked cats, and always had one or two around the house. They could be quite demanding Helen liked to recount a story of the time her cat wanted to go outside in the middle of the night. Helen refused to get up, and the cat retaliated by peeing on her hair. While working at Hahns, Helen made the acquaintance of Donald Mark. Helen and Don hit it off right away, and their friendship gradually deepened into love. They were married on August 23, 1968. After Helen retired in the early 1970s, she and Don did a lot of traveling. Some of their destinations included Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and Canada. On one memorable trip, they were able to walk on the glaciers. At home, Helen liked to express her artistic side, especially with her grandchildren. They did everything from drawing and building blocks to making popcorn people and paper boats together. The passing years took their toll on Dons health, and he passed away in 1993. Helen was deeply saddened by this loss, but took great comfort from her children and grandchildren. Caring, responsible, and kind-hearted, Helen was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a true friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members. Helen M. Paulin Mark died on September 28, 2012, at the age of 97. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Charles Paulin in 1964, and Donald Mark in 1993; her brother, Steve Matuz; her stepson, David Mark; her son-in-law, Jack Boles; her step-daughter-in-law, Joyce Mark; and her step-granddaughter, Heather Reid. Helens family includes her children, Karen (Jack) Paulin Boles of OH, and Rodney (Mary Ellen) Paulin of Muskegon; her grandchildren, Jon (Jeff White) Boles, Kevin Boles, and Richard (Renee) Paulin; 12 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; her stepchildren, Rosalind "Jo" (Perry) Wells of CO, Susan Lyyski of Muskegon, and John Mark of Muskegon; her step-daughter-in-law, Marilyn Mark of Dexter; her step-grandchildren, Damon Mark, Shane Reid, Shelly (Jesse) Lajimodiere, Nicky (Dave) Andersen, Robert (Diane) Mark, and Steve (Camille) Mark; and her sister-in-law, Audrey Matuz. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3, at the Clock Chapel Muskegon, with Pastor Diane Gordon officiating. Interment will be at Mona View Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, and on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimers Association. Please visit Helens personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you can learn more about her life, share favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.