Helen Sullivan (Carter)

Obituary of Helen Frances Sullivan HoughtonHelen F. (John) Sullivan, 70, of Houghton, passed away on November 8, 2015 at her home.Helen was born on August 17, 1945, in Detroit, MI – a daughter of the late Arthur and Frances (Rounds) Carter. She was a graduate of the Pershing High School, class of 1963.Helen was born and raised in Detroit; her neighbor was Johns uncle, Jerry Sullivan. John was attending college in Lansing and went to Detroit to visit his uncle who introduced John to his neighbor, Helen Carter. Visiting Uncle Jerry became a routine over the next two years. John took Helen to her senior prom, and they were married on April 10, 1965. They recently celebrated their Golden Anniversary. They resided in Detroit for five years. Helen worked for Chrysler Corporation as a secretary while John was a student. They moved to the Copper Country in 1970, to Minnesota in 1974 and back to the Copper Country in 1979. They have resided in Houghton since 1989. They enjoyed wintering in Florida for the past 12 years.In 1989, they built and operated the Charleston House Bed and Breakfast, in Houghton. In 1995, they renovated a historic home on College Ave. and moved the business. Helen retired as an innkeeper in 2004. She will be remembered for her gracious hospitality and impeccable style.Helen had a firm faith which guided her throughout her life, and gave her and her family comfort and peace at the end. Her passion led her interests – she was an active member of Hope Fellowship Church in Houghton, and was proud to be an Ambassador for The Jesus Film Project.Helen truly had a servants heart. She was a volunteer in her community throughout her life. Most recently, she was a volunteer at the Keweenaw Heritage Center. She felt so blessed to be able to guide people around St. Annes in Calumet; she enjoyed the beauty and serenity of the church.Helen was a blessing to all who knew her. She will be mourned with sadness, but there is also a joy because the promise of salvation is hers. She is in heaven, where there is no more pain or sadness, sickness or death.Preceding her in death were her parents, Arthur and Frances Carter, her siblings, Dolores Fillmore, Ruth Mehney, Arthur Carter, Robert Carter, and Richard Carter, and her in-laws John L. and Hilma Sullivan.Surviving Helen are: her husband, John Sullivan of Houghton, her children John (Lori) Sullivan of Laurium, Dolores (Gary) Kilpela of Hancock, Roger (Stephanie) Sullivan of Hancock, and her grandsons Brendan, Jack and Carter. Also, her brothers Allen (Nan) Carter of Ft. Meyers, Florida, Donald (Laurel) Carter of New Baltimore, MI, Bill (Pat) Carter of Sterling Heights, MI, sister -in-law Dolores (Bubs) Carter, brother-in-law Chuck Mehney of Northport, MI, uncles Don Martin of Lantana, Florida and Dale (Georgianna) Gensman of Rochester Hills, MI, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and special friend Mary Kuure.A private burial at the Lakeview Cemetery, Calumet will take place on Thursday. A memorial service for Helen will be held at 11 AM, Friday, November 13, 2015 at Hope Fellowship Church, Houghton, with Pastor Jon Kangas to officiate. Friends may call on Friday, November 13 from 9 AM until the time of services at Hope Fellowship Church.There will be a Memorial service for Helen on Mackinac Island at the grave site of her Grandfather Frank Rounds during Helen's Family 20th Reunion on August 6, 2016. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be directed to the Jesus Film Project, 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL 32842 (jesusfilm.org) or the Keweenaw Heritage Center, c/o Calumet Township, 25880 Red Jacket Road, Calumet, MI 49913.To view Helens obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net. The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes have been assisting the family with the arrangements. To send flowers to the family of Helen Sullivan, please visit Tribute Store