Virginia "Ginny" M. Ayvazian

When Virginia May Helms (Ginny) was born on July 31, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, her father Ralph was 28, and her mother, Lillian nee Roberts, was 29. She was one of 5 children, as she had 3 younger sisters and an older brother.  She married Steve Ayvazian her high school sweetheart on August 18, 1951. Ginny and Steve had 5 girls over 19 years. They enjoyed homes in Mt. Clemens, Harrison Township, and Houghton Lake over the years. Steve preceded Ginny in death 3 months earlier. Ginny died on February 26, 2023, at home surrounded by her girls in Kalamazoo, Michigan at the age of 90.

Ginny was a true caregiver, humble and kind in her interactions with others. She took care of her mother and mother-in-law in their declining years and cared for her husband Steve, through his many health trials during their 71 years of marriage. Ginny was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother and took great pride in her girls and their families.

Throughout her lifetime, Ginny was a life-long learner, from bus driving when her children were small to earning her medical records librarian license and running a medical records department for Glen Eden Psychiatric Hospital in Warren Michigan as her children grew older.  Ginny was committed to excellence in all she chose to do. Ginny eventually retired at the age of 80 from a career as a medical transcriptionist with Grosse Pointe Physicians X-Ray Center in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.

Ginny loved reading, cross-stitch, and crocheting. She also loved boating with her husband Steve, traveling, and lucrative trips to local casinos. Ginny was a snowbird, enjoying traveling between their homes in Michigan and their home in Naples, Florida. She and Steve developed many close friendships over the years and loved sharing their love of life with others.

Besides her husband Steve, Ginny was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Lillian Helms, her sister Delores Guertin and brother-in-law Bruce Guertin, sons-in-law Wayne McVicar and Bill Bliss, and infant grandson Michael and great-grandchild Dylon. She is survived by her 5 daughters, Sheryl Vickers (Robert), Terilynn Bradley (Brad), Kathleen Bliss, Karen McVicar, and Jennifer Forgacs (David); 18 grandchildren, Dana Madley (Mike), Krista Ladd (Jeff), Brandon Bradley (Sheri), Brent Bradley (Pam), Brian Bradley (Jen), Steve Bliss (Rose), Jessica Walker, Greg Bliss (Tammy), Kevin Bliss (Denise), Kurt Bliss (Mari), Todd Bliss (Stacey), Sarah Himes (Ray), Kenneth McVicar (Gary), Katie McVicar (Scott), Danielle Novak (Frank), Kaitlynn White (Billy), Alyssa Anderanin (Joey), and Ethan Nash. She is also survived by 24 great-grandchildren, Robert, Mikayla, Angela, Bastian, Ciera, Blaine, Tori, Luna, Kayleigh, Rylee, Kyle, Eddie, Gunner, Brecken, Rylee, Jackson, Lillian, Charlotte, Colin, Karley, Arya, Xander, Aleyna, Lukas and one great-great-grandchild Zeke; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday March 3, 2023, at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 7211 Oakland Drive, Portage 49024 with visitation at 10 a.m. before the service. Rev. Paul Naumann will officiate the service. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service at the church. Ginny will be interred with her husband Steve at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Heartland Hospice, any floral arrangements can be delivered directly to the church on Friday.