Mrs. Helen Louise James, age 96, passed away on January 5, 2018 in Palm Desert, California. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Harold J. James and her daughter Louise.

She was born January 10, 1921 in Streator, Illinois. In 1939 she united in marriage with Harold J. James in Toledo, Ohio, and lived in Elgin, IL before moving to Mt. Clemens, MI in 1942. After she was widowed she resided in the Macomb County area and relocated again in 2012 to California.

Helen is survived by her brother Lawrence Slager of Streator, Illinois and her children: William (Mary) of Cathedral City, California, Carol Culver of Mt. Clemens, Christine McNeill, St. Clair Shores, Michigan, Jeri (Robert) Weber, Clinton Township, Michigan, Margaret, Temecula, California, and Bonnie (Robert) McGarry, Fraser, Michigan. She has 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 1 great- great grandchild. She is also survived by her dear friend, Theresa Ramirez of Palm Desert, California. Helen was predeceased by her siblings Mildred Linington, Ruth Hart, Carl Slager, Paul Slager, Dorothy Crawford, Jean Muscato, Robert Slager, Ardyth (Joyce) Norman and Edith Slager.

After retiring from Mt. Clemens General Hospital, Helen was able to travel to Europe, Canada, and all over the United States. One of her greatest joys was visit- ing with her children and her many grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She read thousands of books, of all genres and as many as one per day after retirement. When she wasn't reading she would work crosswords and diagram-less crossword puzzles. She also wrote poetry from the time she was a young girl right up to the last few years of her life. Arrangements in California were handled by Forest Lawn in Cathedral City.

There was a celebration of her life at Casa de Harkness, Palm Desert, California on March 8, 2018. A memorial service in Michigan will take place on April 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. (10:30 a.m. for visiting with the family) at St . Ronald Catholic Church 17701, 15 Mile Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48035 with Reverend William J. Herman officiating.

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