Helene was born in Detroit on July 23, 1928 to Harold W. and Loretta E. Lovel. She grew up in Roseville where she started a lifelong habit of making friends with everyone she met. On September 20, 1952 she married the love of her life, George M. Bush and they raised two children in East Detroit. In 1981 they retired early and moved to the mountains of Colorado where they lived near Como in a log cabin at 10,000 feet. She spent 27 years there, feeding birds, stacking firewood, reading books, going for hikes in the woods, sending people birthday cards, and making even more friends. They were very good years.
At age 80, some years after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, she decided to move to Santa Fe where she could be closer to family. On February 23, 2016 she passed away at age 87. She was preceded in death by her husband George in 1998 and all of his siblings (who she considered her own.)
She is survived by son Ken (Mona) Bush and grandson Ryan of Santa Fe, daughter Karen (Myles) Younger and granddaughter Meghan of Ft. Worth, TX; a special sister-in-law Carol Bush of Warren, MI., dozens of nieces and nephews, a few cousins and scores of friends she has kept in touch with for decades.
Helene will be remembered as an always-cheerful person with a very positive attitude. She never once said an unkind thing about anyone.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mi Casa Bonita and PMS Hospice who lovingly cared for her during her last days. Helene wished for no services or memorials. Cremation has taken place and her remains will be placed with George’s on Mt. Silverheels in Colorado. There is a good view.