Helen Jean Portice

Helen Jean Portice, age 86, of Pickford, Michigan, died on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Helen was born to William and Francis (Cheer) Cruickshank on August 18, 1926 in Stalwart, Michigan. She attended Tripp School in Stalwart and graduated from Pickford High School. Helen married Thomas “Junior” Portice in a Christmas Eve Ceremony in 1949. They settled in Pickford where they had four children with one more to follow completing their family of five. Helen was an active member of the Pickford Presbyterian Church and Woman’s Association, Pickford Historical Society and Pickford Senior Citizens. Helen was known as the “Pajama Grandma” making pajamas for all the grand children for over 30 years. She enjoyed quilting and in recent years she made and donated many fleece, flannel and some quilt blankets for those in need. Helen enjoyed life on the farm where she raised her sheep and chickens. She loved to garden and take care of her many flower beds. Helen was loved dearly by her grandchildren whom she would always make time for. They enjoyed putting puzzles together, playing board games and many games of checkers. In recent times she enjoyed playing Bingo, attending exercise classes, and joining church services with her new friends at the Nursing Center. Helen kept up with the news from home by getting special correspondence from friends, reading The Evening News, Pickford Presbyterian Church Newsletter, and the Historical Society Newsletter. Helen is survived by five children, George (Carol) of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Robert (Myra) of Hovik, Norway, Nancy (Jim) of Martin, Michigan, Linda (David) of East Grand Rapids, and Thomas (Angel) of Pickford; fourteen grandchildren, Timothy, Nicholas, Daniel, Elizabeth, Jennie, Lara, Donald, Katherine, Gabrielle, Benjamin, Briana, Jocelyn, Brook, and Amanda; and three great-grandchildren, Ashley, Amber, and Alexis. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Irene Martin, Dorothy Cruickshank, and Elizabeth Pomarius, and numerous special nieces and nephews. Helen is preceded in death by husband Thomas J. “Junior” Portice; brothers, William Cruickshank, Marshall Cruickshank, Samuel Cruickshank, and Raymond Cruickshank; sister, Elizabeth (John) Pollard; sisters-in-law, Mary Cruickshank, Violet Cruickshank, and Elsie Portice; and brothers-in-law, John Pollard and David Martin. Visitation will be held Monday, August 12 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 13 at 11:00 A.M. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M. Pastor Jessica Paulsen will conduct the service. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Pickford Township. Memorial contribution may be made to the Presbyterian Church Woman’s Association, P.O. Box 266, Pickford, MI 49774.

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Helen Jean Portice

August 18, 1926 - August 6, 2013