Passed away peacefully in her 95th year, on Sunday February 25, 2018. Beloved wife of Don. Cherished mother of Bob (Arly), Tom (Bobbe), Dave (Prudence), Rick (Pattie), Ed (Shannon) and Bill (Claudia – deceased). Loving grandmother of Aaron, Katie, Laura, Jennifer, Julie, Jeannie, Kali, Dan, Jill, Helen, Michelle, Jessica, Robyn, Lauren and Ryan and 18 great grandchildren.
Helen was born April 17, 1923 in Buffalo, New York the daughter of Eugene Forrestel and Viona (Coleman) Forrestel. She lived her early years in Akron and Medina, NY with siblings Marjorie, Richard and Thomas. She graduated from Akron High School in 1940 and attended Smith College, and the University of Michigan, graduating from Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, NY with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in piano, in May 1944. She was a talented flutist and pianist- the winner of several state and national music festival contests.
of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Dearborn, age 88, went to be with her Lord Thursday, February 22, 2018 while living at her daughter’s home. She was born March 23, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of John & Cecelia (Hanratty) Dillon. Betty attended Immanuel Bible Church in Chelsea. She stayed home to raise her children, but also worked as a cook in the Dearborn Schools.
On January 11, 1947, she married Donald DeRouchie in Detroit, and he preceded her in death on Aug. 7, 2005. Survivors include five children, David (Bonnie) DeRouchie of Philipi, WV, Michael (Carolyn) DeRouchie of Monroe, Ken DeRouchie of Portland, OR, Linda (David) Parham of Jackson, Donna DeRouchie of Gregory; a daughter-in-law, Angie DeRoucie; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.