Helen Curtin

Helen ("Kelly") Curtin passed away on January 23, 2015 at Willowgreen Assisted Living in Caledonia. 

Helen was born in Toronto, Canada on February 28, 1924, the daughter of Cecil Owen Bennett and Gwendoline Ivy (Newby) Bennett. On October 4, 1946 she married her husband Fred Curtin in Toronto. Fred passed away in Racine in 1987. 

Helen's large extended family loved her very much and will miss her greatly. She is survived by her sons Randy (Linda) Curtin, Paul (Jan) Curtin, and Mark (Diane) Curtin, and her daughter Shelley (Jim) Gustafson; grandchildren Todd Curtin, Tyler (Christine) Curtin, Terry Curtin, Nicole (Rob) Jossart, Shannon (Katie) Curtin, Stacy Curtin, Scott Curtin, Erin (Mike) Nichols and Aric Gustafson; great-grandchildren Teneille Curtin, Darren Walter, Hannah Curtin, Leah Curtin, Jake Jossart, Jenna Jossart, Cameron Antinucci, Mitchell Curtin, Ryan Curtin, Jaylyn Leonard, Maddie Nichols and Gus Nichols; great-great-granddaughter Rylee Brady; beloved niece Teri (Black) Calleri and many other nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her husband Fred and a daughter Deborah, many of Helen's loved ones had passed away before her, including her parents; brother Roy Bennett; brothers-in-law Grover Curtin, Ed Curtin, and sister-in-law Bernice Black and all of their spouses. Also passed away are Joy Lee, who was Helen's very best friend; and John Colby, a childhood friend of her children who was like a son to her. 

Always the life of the party, Helen enjoyed life to the fullest. When her children were growing up, the lights at the Curtin household were always on. Many of her children's friends would stop by in the evenings to visit Helen and Fred even if the kids weren't there. 

Since she had been a teenager Helen always had a pet dog by her side. She was extremely fond of all of them. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers a donation in her name be made to the ASPCA. Checks made out to that organization will be forwarded, or you can go online to www.aspca.org to make a donation. 

On Saturday, January 31st, from 1-4 PM, friends are invited to join the family at the Harborlite Yacht Club, 559 State Street in Racine to celebrate a life that was full of laughs and love.