Helen S. Brownson

Helen Stewart Brownson, born Dec. 15, 1929, went to be with her Lord on June 4, 2015 having lived out 85 years, full of life. She leaves behind her husband Bill, sons Jim and Jonathan, daughters-in-law Kathryn and Jeannette, grandchildren Rachel, Benjamin, Anna, Joanna, William, and Sam, along with their partners in life, two sisters Florence and Janet, as well as a host of dear friends far too many to number. She was preceded in death by her parents Alex and Emma Stewart, by her sons Billy and Dave, by her sister Judith Stewart Berndt and her brother Eddie Stewart. She was born in Burnt Hills, New York, graduated from Wheaton College, and lived out her life as a wife, mother, a special-education teacher, a special needs coordinator for area school districts helping students with disabilities to find employment, an organizer for those in need of housing through the ministry of Heritage Homes, and as the Minister of Outreach at Christ Memorial Church. In all these arenas, she was a passionate advocate for persons on the margins of life and society. She was recently honored by Lakeshore Disability Network with a lifetime achievement award for her work with people in special need. In the midst of all these responsibilities, she devoted her support to her husband's ministry, and enjoyed traveling with him to outreach centers of Bill's radio ministry Words of Hope, throughout the world. This life of ministry arose from her own experience of suffering, with a brother's life-long mental disability, with one son (Billy) severely disabled by measles encephalitis, and another son (Dave) who struggled with schizophrenia. Despite this deep pain, she lived her life without an ounce of self-pity, thoroughly devoted to her family and to all those who live their life in the midst of pain, struggle, deprivation, and sorrow. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2015 and 1:30–2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7, in the Chapel of Christ Memorial Church (entrances D&E), 595 Graafschap Rd. Holland. Helen's life will be celebrated in a funeral service at in the Sanctuary at Christ Memorial Church in Holland on Sunday, June 7, at 3:00 pm in the afternoon and will be followed by a reception. Gifts in memory of Helen may be given to Words of Hope in Grand Rapids, MI. Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI, and to the Capital Campaign Fund at New Community/Fourth Reformed Church in Holland, MI. www.langelandsterenberg.com

Tributes

Helen S. Brownson

December 15, 1929 - June 4, 2015