Helen (Hosner) Mann, 87, of Traverse City, MI, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 26, 2024. She passed away peacefully.

Helen was born on August 18, 1937 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Joseph and Dorothy (Hyle) Hosner. Helen grew up with fond memories of the coffee shop that her parents owned, and she eventually graduated from Cooley High School. A highlight during this time was Helen's selection as the beauty queen for the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant, one of the first manufacturing facilities to produce tanks for the U.S. Army. Helen's lovely personality, natural beauty, and love of fashion made her the perfect candidate.

In her early 20's, Helen joined the Ford Motor Company as a secretary, where she was eventually offered a promotion that included a college education. Helen eagerly accepted the challenge, showing determination and strength as she started college, while still working full time, and raising her beloved children, Lisa and Brian. Helen loved her family, and it showed, always making time for them and providing homemade meals every night. Helen's hard work paid off when she acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business, with Honors, from Madonna University in Livonia, MI. After graduation, she was offered a position as the first female Engineering Change Coordinator at The Ford Wixom Assembly Plant. Helen was a savvy business-person, and delighted in working in the vehicle-manufacturing industry. After 30 years of exceptional service, she officially retired from her position in 1990.

Before retirement, Helen would travel up to Traverse City often to see her daughter, Lisa, and her grandchildren. After years of living in Farmington Hills, Helen relocated to Traverse City in 1999 to be closer to them, and she could not have been happier. Just a short walk or bike-ride from their home, "Nana" was an active part of her grandchildren's lives. She would take them on adventures to the fair, the sand dunes, or to the beach, and when they were little, she would have slumber parties with them, nestled in sleeping bags, reading books with flashlights until all hours of the night. Throughout the years, Nana was there for every birthday, graduation, and celebration. Helen loved deeply, showing it through her hugs and in her continued presence with her family.

Helen was active in her community and adored engaging with others. Her love for people was obvious, as she lit up whenever she was able to start a conversation, and she made friends wherever she went. Helen's outgoing personality - along with her love for the Traverse City area - led her to volunteer with the National Cherry Festival and become a realtor at Keller Williams, both experiences that she treasured and spoke frequently about. Helen's easy smile and genuine friendliness made her memorable to everyone she met.

Throughout her life, Helen had a passion for travel and for new experiences. She saw much of the United States during her travels, and for many years, she enjoyed a second home in Ellenton, Florida. Helen would talk at length of her times spent in Australia, Mexico, Italy, and France. She was especially taken with Australia and the open friendliness of the people there; she joked about how she nearly missed the plane because she was too busy having fun chatting with the locals. Besides travel and her love for her family, other great delights of her life included shopping, fashion, and her cats, as well as listening and dancing to Elvis. She loved to watch birds, grow herbs, play bingo, eat ice cream, and drink Vernor's ginger ale.

Remaining behind to cherish Helen's memory are; her children Lisa (Steve) Fouch and Brian (Nancy) Mann; her grandchildren Candice (Cory) Smith, Amanda Craggs, Jack (Megan) Craggs, Andrew (Dulce) Mann, and Evan Koeke; her great-grandchildren Abigail Craggs, Addeson Craggs, and Cameron Smith; her sisters, Cecilia (Dave) Musko, Karol Fuson, and Kathryn (Mike) Verhoye.

Helen's warmth, kindness, and love for life will be deeply missed, but her spirit lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. We will remember her as she was, smiling, always waiting with a hug, singing Doris Days' "A Bushel and a Peck," while wrapping her loved ones in her warm embrace.

Memorial donations in Helen's memory may be directed to the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give).

A private celebration of life will take place at a later date.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com