Helen Elizabeth Washburn, daughter of William A. (1874-1942) and Eliza Elizabeth (Newson) (1877-1959) Washburn, was born 2 March 1916, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Helen attended Okemos High School but may not have graduated with her Class of 1935. She was listed as a sophomore on the girls basketball during the 1932-1933 school year.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 5 April 1920
Mrs. Peter Tuttle spent a few days recently with relatives in Lansing. She was accompanied home by her niece, Miss Helen Washburn.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 25 November 1932
OKEMOS TO OPEN COURT SEASON AT STOCKBRIDGE
Okemos, Nov. 25 - Both the boys' and girls' basketball season of Okemos high will open December 9 with games at Stockbridge. Miss Kathryn Boyd is coaching the girls' team and J. E. Soper will be mentor of the boy's quintet. Rosamond Taylor, junior, is captain of the girls' and Milton Eicher, senior, is captain of the boy's tam. Of the 20 boys who practice regularly only four were regulars on last year's team, while all of last year's girls' team are back with several new ones. The following captains have been chosen for interclass games: seniors, Eleanor Dorn; juniors, Hazel Rogers; sophomores, Helen Washburn; freshmen Gladys Kelty.
Helen married 1930 OHS graduate William Orin Blinn 21 July 1934, Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan. According to the marriage license William was listed as Orin William Blinn and Helen was documented as Elizabeth Helen Washborne.
Helen had a long career as an LPN in the Lansing area. She and William had one child. Helen died 3 March 1993, Sunfield, Eaton County, Michigan. William, born 25 November 1913, Okemos, Ingham County, died 4 December 1994, Sunfield. William and Helen were interred Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 4 March 1993
BLINN, HELEN E.
ELK LAKE, GLADWIN, MI
Age 76, passed away Wednesday at her daughter's residence in Sunfield after a long illness. Mrs. Blinn was born March 22, 1916 in Detroit, MI the daughter of William a. and Eliza Washburn (Newson). On July 21, 1934 she married William O. Blinn and they lived most of their married life in Lansing. When they retired, they moved to Elk Lake in 1970. She was employed at Ingham Medical Hospital as an LPN and also worked as a Private Patient Nurse. Mrs. Blinn was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Clarence, Everett and Lester Washburn; and 2 sisters, Beulah Bauer and Daisy Smeltzer. Surviving are her husband, William O. Blinn; daughter, Shirley (Henry) James of Sunfielld; 2 grandchildren, Patrick James and Suzanne James; 1 great grandson, Donovan James; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Sunfield United Methodist Church with Rev. Harris Hoekwater and Rev. Robert Mayo officiating. The family will receive their friends Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Rosier Funeral Home, Mapes-Fisher Chapel in Sunfield. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.