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Obituary for Irmina Reyes-Helfrich
Our beloved sister, daughter, and friend Irmina "Minnie" Reyes-Helfrich of Royal Oak, Michigan passed away peacefully at her home on December 3, 2018, just 1 day shy of turning 63. Minnie was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to Detroit with her family when she was 17. She attended the University of Detroit where she became a lifelong member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Minnie worked at Ford Motor Company for nearly 30 years until her retirement in 2007.
Minnie enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, competitive sailing, golfing, traveling, cooking, crocheting, and reading. Minnie was also actively involved in her sorority and to the very end of her days, her loving sorority sisters spent countless hours keeping her comfortable and bringing her food and gifts on a daily basis. Those endearing moments were spent in joy, recalling times past, regaling in each other’s successes, and praying for peace and calm in the midst of great pain and sorrow. Family members stayed by her side day and night nursing her through that arduous journey and being with her in mind and spirit until her final hours.
Minnie will always be remembered for her deep passion for a healthy and active life, a passion she shared with everyone she came in contact with, for being the style diva, and being the brains that came with the beauty. Minnie’s final words to us were that she had no regrets and left no unfinished business.
Minnie is survived by her father Mapalad Reyes, sisters, Lourdes (Dean) Brossy and Cecilia (Michael) Ball, brother Jose (Richard Heide) Reyes, and her nephew David Lore. Minnie was preceded in death by her mother Lilia Reyes.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 13th, 10am at Holy Name Catholic Church, 630 Harmon Street in Birmingham. Friends may visit at church beginning at 9:30am. A reception will be held in the church hall immediately following mass.
Interment of ashes will take place at a private ceremony at White Chapel Cemetery.
Memorials appreciated to Catholic Relief Services, PO Box 17090, Baltimore, Maryland 21297-0303 and Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, 150 Stimson Street, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
