Helen Lelsz CATES

CATES, Helen Lelsz, age 99, of Grand Rapids, formerly of Flint, passed away Thursday, October 6, 2011 at Blodgett Hospital, Grand Rapids. Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2011 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 711 S. Saginaw St., Flint. Fr. Michael Fedewa officiating. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Flint or St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Grand Rapids. Mrs. Cates was born March 12, 1912 in Croswell, Michigan the daughter of the late Lel Gerrit and Georgette (Govette) Lelsz. She married Ralph S. Cates on June 24, 1937 in Rochester, New York and he preceded her in death on November 27, 1999. Mrs. Cates was employed as a teacher by Flint Public Schools for 19 years, until her retirement in 1975. She was also a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mrs. Cates had a passion for growing orchids and African violets. She loved to knit and often donated her works to charity. Surviving are her daughter, Janneke Cates Baske and husband, Dr. Richard of Verona, WI; son, Gerrit Frederick Cates and wife, Marisa of Rockford, MI; grandchildren, Warren Baske of Denver, CO, Andrea Sullivan and husband, Daniel of Pound Ridge, NY, Todd Gerrit Cates of Rockford, MI; great-grandchildren, Maxwell and Aidan Sullivan. Arrangements by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek where online condolences may be posted

Funeral Service

Monday, October 10, 2011 11:00 AM
St Paul Episcopal Church
711 S. Saginaw Street Flint 48502, United States