Helen Briggs passed peacefully surrounded by her family on January 25, 2024. She was born to Joseph and Julia (Szabo) Agardy on June 25, 1934, in Fehérgyarmat, Hungary. Helen arrived in America at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Europa on October 20, 1938. She grew up in southwest Detroit, Michigan, and attended Western High School. While in school, she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Briggs, and the two married in 1953. Bob and Helen spent much of their life together in Detroit, retiring to Allegan in 1997.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents and husband Bob in 2022. She is survived by her four daughters: Debbie Walker (Gary), Susie Young (Craig), Julie Zieman (Rick), and Kathy Sova (Dave); seven grandchildren: Becky LaBarre (Steve), Mandi Walker, Bobby Murray (Ashlee), Kimmy Scammahorn (Jeremy), Jenn Carter (Kenny), Jimi Murray, and Autti Sova (in eternal life with Christ in Heaven); and three great-grandsons: Dawson and Graham Murray, and Kasper Carter. She also was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Helen studied hard and became a U.S. citizen at age 18. Before starting her family, she worked for the U.S. Government as a secretary. An expert typist, Helen was quickly promoted to lead manager due to her excellent work. Soon afterward, she left the workforce to become a homemaker and gave birth to her four daughters. She was very involved with her children as they grew up—everything from cooking and baking to sewing a lot of their clothing. She was a Brownie leader and PTA mom. She always made sure the girls went to Sunday School and was instrumental in ensuring all of their homework was done.
Helen enjoyed gardening, reading, going to lunch with her friends from church, as well as volunteering. Through the years, Helen enjoyed working with the AWANA bible club (for over twenty years). She also hosted Backyard Bible Club and enjoyed going on women’s retreats.
Helen was a beautiful, fashionable woman who enjoyed looking her best. She always had lipstick and a smile on her face. She loved bright colors, especially yellow, flowers and butterflies. Helen had a sparking sense of humor and a quick wit, often making up silly songs. She loved to laugh. She enjoyed helping people and never wanted anyone to feel alone or go without. She not only gave big hugs and comforting words, she never let anyone go hungry.
She held onto her Hungarian heritage by going to festivals, reading Hungarian books, and speaking the language with anyone who knew the dialect. She loved spending time with her beloved husband with whom she enjoyed 69 wonderful years of marriage. Bob and she were entirely devoted to one another, experiencing a true love story that has served as an incredible model for their children and grandchildren. They lived to make one another happy; Bob would always let Helen “shop ‘til she dropped”.
She was a strong woman of faith who loved the Lord, a prayer warrior, and champion of the Gospel. Our hearts are broken, but after a long struggle with her health she grew tired. Now she is in the arms of the Lord and reunited with the love of her life, Bob.
Helen is being cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please remember Helen and advance her legacy as life-giver with a donation to the National Kidney Foundation or any life-giving charity of your choice.