Helen J. (Mienik) Kinsworthy

Helen J. (Mienik) Kinsworthy passed away peacefully on October 7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born May 21, 1934 in Port Jefferson, New York to John & Mary (Raszniekiewicz) Mienik. Helen grew up on Long Island and graduated from Eastport High School, class of 1951, after which she worked in Manhattan NYC. She then attended and graduated from Ohio University with a BA in elementary education. Helen completed graduate classes at Michigan State University (Grand Rapids, MI satellite campus) for early education and also Aquinas College for philosophy and sociology. Grand Rapids, Michigan was home for Helen for 50 years, from 1967 to 2017.

Helen was a loving school teacher in Athens, Ohio, Middletown, Ohio, and Wyoming, Michigan. She later worked at Steelcase headquarters for many years, retiring in 2000. Helen enjoyed a lifetime love of all things cultural - music, books, art, and theater, and she certainly installed that love in her children. She loved to visit libraries, museums, and learn something new everyday. Helen was a longtime member of the Polish Heritage Society, the Grand Rapids AAUW (American Association of University Women) branch, and West Michigan Advocates for Seniors. She volunteered frequently at Civic Theater, Circle Theater, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Helen also participated in Leadership Grand Rapids and Senior Odyssey.

Helen leaves to cherish her memory her sister Rose (Fred) Hilliard, daughter Rosemary, son David (Amy), and daughter Dhiann (Randy Blye) along with grandsons Michael, Gregory, Mark, Matthew, and Collin. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Mienik, and her son Mark Kinsworthy. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids (MI) Public Library at 111 Library St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or to your local public library. A celebration of Helen's life will be held at a later date.

"On no subject are our ideas more warped and pitiable than on death. ... Let children walk with nature, let them see the beautiful blendings and communions of death and life, their joyous inseparable unity, as taught in woods and meadows, plains and mountains and streams of our blessed star, and they will learn that death is stingless indeed, and as beautiful as life, and that the grave has no victory, for it never fights." -John Muir