Halleen Fisk

Halleen Fisk lived a life rich in family, friends, and work. Naturally called to serving others, Halleen led with her heart and built a life centered around the good care of those she loved. A devoted mother and grandmother, Halleen embraced her roles with honor and enthusiasm leading her family by example and celebrating each day she was given. Creative and delightful, Halleen was cherished by all who were blessed to know her.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope than in Furnace, Kentucky as Tracy and Nellie Tipton welcomed daughter Halleen into their hearts and home on June 20, 1933.

Growing up in rural Kentucky during the 30s and 40s, Halleen’s childhood was centered in family and the Cat Creek community. Most of her schoolmates were relatives as were many of her friends. The oldest of the Tipton's children, Halleen grew up with a natural ability to organize and nurture others. While Halleen’s mother worked as a homemaker, her father provided for the family by working at the local sawmill and as a pallbearer. Along with her younger siblings; Burl, Delno, and Zella Mae, Halleen was raised to be resourceful and hopeful. As a child, she loved working with her father in the garden. Throughout her life, she’d proudly share with others that “Daddy always said I could put a stick in the ground and make it grow.” This faith in her ability to persevere and create beauty and nourishment where it was needed proved a firm foundation upon which Halleen built the rest of her life.

A hard worker who possessed an endless amount of self-drive, Halleen earned her G.E.D. and then took some college classes, but her passion was caring for others. Though she worked for a time as a cook and at a door factory, her calling was being a homemaker, daycare director, and crafter. Halleen loved to share what she knew and empower others to be creative too. She was a natural teacher whose enthusiasm and confidence was often just what others needed to take the leap and trust their own creativity. For a time, Halleen worked in craft-based home parties. Her specialty was home parties and crafts which she often sold at a booth at several county fairs and the Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor, MI, where she also discovered a passion for nutrition and started selling nutritional products as well .Her enthusiasm and determination ensured much success in all her endeavors, and at one time she was even crowned the National Sales Queen of Cameo.

Raising her children; Elizabeth Ann, Linda, Douglas, and Brenda was her personal accomplishment. As her children grew and began families of their own, so did her love. Without a doubt, Halleen’s grandchildren were her heart’s delight. Moving to Linden, Michigan to help care for her quadruplet great-grandchildren was one of her best grandparenting moments. Not one to shy away from love, Halleen married twice and had a long time companion in Harold Gable. Halleen’s love of people was also evident in her work as the daycare director for her church, as well as the many family members and friends she helped care for as they aged.

A woman who lived each moment of her life fully, Halleen showed us how to love and learn, give and grow, confidently take risks, and to trust our capacity to endure. She taught us how to live. While the world feels less certain in the absence of Halleen’s steadfast spirit, may it afford deep comfort to know that we carry the best of her legacy in our hearts and lives.

Halleen Fisk of Linden, age 84, passed away peacefully on February 21. Beloved mother of Elizabeth Ann (Bud) Wendt, Linda (John) Byers, Douglas, Brenda Henson. Grandmother of Chuck Nelson, Jeff (Kim) Nelson, Lisa (Joe) Oliver, Duane (Marilee) Nelson, Tracy Byers, Kimberly Farrar, John Byers Jr., Edward Gregory Jr., Emily Chodoba and James Gregory. Cherished great-grandmother of numerous great grandchildren. Adored great great grandmother of numerous great great grandchildren. Dearest sister of Zella Mae Tolbert and the late Burl and Delno Tipton. A visitation will be held on Sunday 3-8pm at Neely-Turowski Funeral Home 30200 Five Mile (Between Middlebelt and Merriman) where a service will be held on Monday 11am. To share a favorite memory and/or photo of Halleen and to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.turowskilifestory.com