Helen Stewart

Helen (Esch) Stewart, aged 91, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. She was born on January 29, 1920 in Akron, OH, the daughter of Samuel and Maude (Hatton) Bryant. She graduated cum laude from the University of Akron in 1942 with a B.A. in Education and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Kappa Delta Pi (teacher’s honorary society). She married her high school sweetheart, Everett D. Esch in 1941 and moved to Saline, MI in 1942 where she resided for 39 years. She taught elementary school students for the Saline Public Schools for five years and left her career to raise a family and be a helpmate to Everett who owned the Ann Arbor Aero Service, and later served as an executive for Hoover Universal Corporation. She was active in the First United Methodist Church of Saline and the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #311. Helen loved reading and poetry, gardening, needlework, bridge, and travel. She loved life and looked forward to new challenges and adventures. Her indomitable spirit brought joy to her family and friends. Everett predeceased her in 1970. She moved to High Point, NC in 1980 where she served as President of the Furniture City Women’s Club. She retired to Venice, FL in 1988 and married Richard Stewart of Chatham, MA in 1991. Richard passed away in 2011. She loved her family dearly and will be lovingly remembered. Helen is survived by four daughters, Martha Esch of Grand Rapids, MI, Kathryn Pearce (Jim) of San Diego, CA, Ruth Levant (Lee) of Tampa, FL, Sara Hester (Oma) of New Bern, NC and one son, Don Esch (Sherry) of Westlake, OH. She is also survived by eight beloved grandchildren, Derek Johnson (Heidi Rahn) of Portland, OR, Jennifer Hirt (Brian) of Englewood, CO, Sarah Levant of San Francisco, CA, Forrest and Dalton Hester of New Bern, NC and Megan, Emma and Abby Esch of Westlake, OH as well as two great grandchildren, Calvin Johnson and Alexandra Hirt. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Westerinen of Portland, OR, and many nieces and nephews. A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Saline with Rev. Dr. James E. Tuttle, officiating. Memorial tributes may be made to Life Path Hospice, 12973 N. Telecom Parkway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637. Arrangements are entrusted to the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home, Saline. To sign Helen’s guestbook or to leave a memory visit http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/annarbor/ or for more information please call 1-734-429-9760 or visit www.rbfhsaline.com.

Tributes

Helen Stewart

January 29, 1920 - January 18, 2012