At Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor
A party to celebrate Helen Skinner’s 105th Birthday will be held on Friday July 15, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. The event will take place at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor, 1101 S. Scott Road, St. Johns, MI. All are welcome to attend.
Helen Jenc was born on July 15, 1906 to Konstanty and Estello Jenc in Poland. When Helen was six years old she and her mother fame by boat to America. Their first stop was Ellis Island. They made their home in Buffalo, NY. Helen recalls going to the park and the policemen who rode horses and watched over them. Helen learned to read and write in Polish.
When Helen was 12 year old the family moved to Owosso, Michigan. Her parents own a store at the front of their home. They eventually had to close the store due to hard economic times; customers were unable to pay for the groceries that they had charged to their account.
Helen first married Steve Novak on November 17, 1923 at the age of 17. The marriage did not last, as he left before their daughter Constance was born on September 10, 1924. Helen later learned that Steve had been killed in 1932. Ask Helen and she will tell you exactly how she feels about him. Better times were ahead for Helen and Connie. On December 29, 1938 Helen married Earl Skinner. Earl passed away in 1976.
Helen then moved to St. Johns to live with her daughter Connie and son-in-law Richard Crohnkite. She resided with them for 32 ½ years before coming to live at Hazel I. Findlay Country Manor.
Helen has held multiple jobs during her long life. She worked at Saginaw Malabo’s Foundry, a foundry in Owosso, a candy factory and a canning factory. She also was a waitress and ironed for many people. Her last job was at Redmond Factory which became Motor Products. She retired at the age of 70.
Favorite past times include decorating; she even did her own painting and wallpapering. Helen enjoyed making doilies and afghans which are now prize possessions for her family. When asked what her fondest memory is Helen states that “I loved taking the kids to the park to play. They had so much fun, and they loved me.” Family and neighbors recall what a wonderful cook and baker Helen was. The smell of cakes, pies and cookies invited many to their home. While Helen was unable to teach her daughter Connie how to make a pie crust, she was able to pass that talent along to her granddaughter Cathy who follows in Grams footsteps.
Helen has 1 daughter, 3 grandsons, 1 granddaughter, 6 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She also has many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. In addition Helen had 4 brothers and 3 sisters. Helen credits a loving, supportive family and exercise as her secret to longevity.