formerly of Rome, OH, age 87, died peacefully on December 28, 2013 in Ann Arbor, MI. Born September 12, 1926 in St. Petersburg, FL to Mildred (nee Merrihew) Sanborn and Edgar L. Sanborn. She was married for 61 years to her loving husband, James French Morrissey who passed January 28, 2013.
Helen gre
w up in Plattsburgh, NY area with her mother and two younger siblings: Jack Sanborn (preceded her in death) and Sande Staley, who resides in CA.
She received a BA in education from Plattsburgh State Teachers College and taught on Long Island, NY. After marrying James Morrissey in 1952, she started a new career as wife and mother of six children for the next 61 years. She is survived by her six children: Lynne Smith of Oviedo, FL, Sharon (Kevin) Carroll of S. Wales, NY, Beth Morrissey of Broomfield, CO, Bruce Morrissey of Roaming Rock Shores, OH, Carol (Brian) McLaughlin of Chelsea, MI, and Denis (Carey) Morrissey of Lakewood, OH; 14 beloved grandchildren, their spouses, and one great-grandchild.
Helen was a dedicated wife and mother. Taking care of a husband, six children and various pets kept her very busy. She multi-tasked before the word was invented. Helen’s attention to the details of life, beautiful home, good manners, high ideals, strong morals, are priceless gifts that she tirelessly gave to her family. Her artistic visions changed a barn into a family room, a wash bench into a coffee table and roadside weeds into beautiful floral arrangements. This artistic mother taught her children how to make angels out of tissue paper, Christmas ornaments out of felt, and pilgrims out of cornhusks. Starting in the late 1980s she created her own unique line of “one of a kind” greeting cards. Holidays were also Helen’s works of art. The Morrissey home was transformed with pumpkins or Easter eggs, Christmas lights or Valentine hearts. Delicious food aromas and music filled the air. Guests were always welcome.
Helen Morrissey (Mom, Grandma) will always be remembered for her generous, kind, creative, welcoming spirit. Thankfully she lives on through her six children, fourteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild and generations to come. She is dearly missed.
A Memorial Celebration of her life was held on Saturday, January 18 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. with a Memorial Service from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. at Bass Lake Taverne and Inn, 426 South St. Chardon, OH 44024.
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