Holly Ann Wilkins

Holly Ann Heaton Wilkins, 56, from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, continued her journey to heaven on September 27, 2013 after a brief struggle with cancer. Holly was born on May 20, 1957, in Highland Park, Michigan, eldest daughter of seven children. Naturally, she was a second mother to her sisters and brothers where they grew up in Plymouth, Michigan. She often recalled fond memories of summers spent on Grand Lake at the family vacation home. While attending Lake Superior State University she met the love of her life, Earl Wilkins, at the Ojibway restaurant where they both worked their summer jobs. Holly devoted her life to her family and had a passion for helping children. She worked as a Family Resource Worker for DHS, the Director of Central Child Care Center and a teacher and Family Service Worker at Community Action Head Start. For the past several years Holly was the Education Coordinator for seven head start programs through the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan. In the last couple of years she taught Early Childhood Classes through Bay Mills Community College sharing her love for teaching with her students. Holly enjoyed learning and recently earned a Master's Degree in Early Childhood from Concordia University. She was working on the Infant Mental Health Endorsement, another area she felt deeply about. Holly was the treasurer for the Chippewa County Council for Youth and Families; she was a part of the council since it originated. Holly was looked upon as an angel on earth giving selflessly and loving unconditionally. Holly is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Earl Wilkins. Her world revolved around her two daughters, Chelsea (Travis) Marble of Sault Ste. Marie and Symantha (Randy) Young of Dallas, Texas. The light of her life for the past 3 years is her grandson, Chase Marble. Her foundation of support is her family: mother, Marianne Heaton, sisters Gerilynn Stack, Kelly Jacobs, Katy VanSchoten, brothers Kyle (Dianne) Heaton, Toby (Jonna) Heaton, father-in-law, Earl Wilkins, sisters and brothers-in-law, Fran (Paul) Buck, Ann (Jose) Martinez, Linda (Larry) Batho, Janice (Jim) Payment, Al (Joy Wilkins), Bill (Helen) Wilkins, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her father Gerald Heaton, brother, Marty Heaton, mother-in-law, Frances Wilkins, and brother-in-law, Richard Wilkins. Visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. at the C. S. Mulder Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 6 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Chippewa County Council for Youth and Families.

Tributes

Holly Ann Wilkins

May 20, 1957 - September 27, 2013