Helen J. Berger

BERGER, HELEN JANE, a life-long resident of Mount Clemens (Clinton Township) died at age 88 in her home, surrounded by her six loving daughters. She was born September 29, 1930 to Herman (Harmy) and Helen (Meldrum) Miller. She married Robert (Bob) Frederick Berger on August 6, 1954. Helen was a graduate of Eastern Normal School, now Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She taught English at East Point Middle School from 1953-55. She and Bob raised six daughters. When Bob passed away in 1975, Helen successfully stepped in as President of Bob Berger's Service and Fleet Supply. She sold the business in 1985 and worked for the next ten years at Winkelman's clothing store. Helen's six daughters were the center of her life. She instilled in them a strong sense of independence. She worked hard to provide each with a college education. Helen loved fashion and was an accomplished seamstress. She had a love affair with the ocean that began during trips to Florida with her aunt and uncle, Julia and Syd Thome, who took her under their wing when she was a child. As a teenager, Helen worked at The Plaza Bath House and The Monroe Hotel, which were owned by her Aunt Julia. Helen is one of the few remaining residents who were involved with the mineral baths that made Mount Clemens famous. She was actively working on writing her memoir and a novel based on the life of her Aunt Julia during the Bath House Era. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bob; brothers Chesley, George (Chip), Vincent, James and Thomas Miller; and grandchild Matt/Kat Anderson. She is survived by her daughters, Julia Berger-Anderson (Patrick), Vicki Berger Paulissen (Jerry), Bonnie Demetral (Dimitri), Cindy Alexander (Christopher), Margo Burrage (Mark and Mick, deceased), Robbi Jo Goltz (Mark); grandchildren Erik Anderson (Emily), Andrew and Spencer Paulissen, Isabella and Constantinos Demetral, Emily Kirk (Dan), MacKenna and Margarete Alexander, Katrina and Rachel Burrage and Madeline Goltz; great-grandchildren Lyle, Ada and Rosalie Anderson; and several nephews and a niece. The family has established the Helen J. Berger fund at the Crocker House Museum. Donations made to the Macomb County Historical Society with the notation, "Helen Berger, Bath City Book" will be used for the printing of a book on the history of the bath house era. These can be mailed to: Kim Parr, Director of the Crocker House Museum, 15 Union Street, Mount Clemens MI, 48043. Visitation Tuesday 3-9pm with 7:00pm Scripture Service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Funeral Wednesday Instate 10:00am at St. Louis Church 24415 Crocker at Harper until time of Mass at 10:30am. Interment Clinton Grove Cemetery. Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.

Helen J. Berger

September 29, 1930 - November 17, 2018