Lee "Helen" Patton

Lee “Helen” Patton; 91; of Sterling Heights; formerly of Saint Clair Shores and Au Gres; passed away September 22, 2018. Helen was born August 25, 1927 to Danish immigrants Walter and Cecelia Nelson (Nielsen). She fought a long battle with COPD and Congestive Heart Failure, and hoped to live to be 100.

Helen was a homemaker, working different part time jobs from time to time, and she loved her dog Fred. She was artistic, enjoyed crafts, baked delicious sticky buns, and was an experienced seamstress. She enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren, and was especially fond of playing cards.

On December 11, 1951, Helen married Clifford John Patton, and they had four children, Judy (Glenn) Zampaglione, John “Jack” (Charlotte) Patton, Clifford (Betty) Patton, and Barbara (John) Waldrip. In 1974, Helen’s widower brother Jorgen (John) passed away, so Cliff and Helen became legal guardians for his children, Nancy (Frank) Dunn and David Nielsen.

They were blessed with ten grandchildren, Glenn and Stacy Zampaglione, Andy and Luke (Mary Jo) Patton and Betsy Oman, Christopher (Monique) and Brianne Patton, and Candice, John, and Sarah Waldrip. They also have eleven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Cliff; granddaughter Candice; nephew David Nielsen; and brothers Jorgen “Walter Paul” and Robert Nielsen.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Helen on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at the Knights of Columbus, Lake Orion at 1:00pm followed by a Euchre tournament. Memorial donations may be made to the Michigan Humane Society or the American Cancer Society. If you are attending the Celebration of Life for Helen, please RSVP on the Guest Book Page (link above).