Joann Edith Helsley

HELSLEY, Mrs. Joann E. Kalamazoo, MI Died Saturday morning November 11, 2006 at Rose Arbor Hospice Care Facility after an 18 month battle with ovarian cancer. Joann was born in the Detroit area and came to Kalamazoo in 1957 to attend Western Michigan University. She taught elementary grades in the Battle Creek School System for 32 years, retiring in 1995. Joann was an active member of the local chapters of the American Association of the University Women, The Sons of Norway, and the Log Cabin Quilters Guild. She is survived by her husband, Jerry, her brothers, Mike Tilder of North Carolina and Albert Tilder of Pennsylvania. The lives of many students and friends were touched by Joann. She will be sorely missed. Private services and burial will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation.