Helen Katherine (Catania) Schlitter

Helen Katherine (Catania) Schlitter, age 95, went to heaven surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Caretel Inns, St. Joseph.

According to her wishes cremation has taken place and the family will be remembering her privately. Memorial contributions may be given to the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center, St. Joseph, Michigan or T.O.P.S. Club. The family would like to thank the care team at Caretel Inns and Corewell Health-Hospice, especially Hanna, her nurse, and Nancy, her social worker. Also, we would like to thank extended family and friends for their love and support. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.

Helen was the eldest daughter, born to Bernard Sr. and Josephine (Soldano) Catania on October 14, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois and was raised in the Benton Harbor area. She attended Benton Harbor High School. As Helen was raising her two daughters, she drove bus for the St. Joseph Public Schools for 22 years. She retired June 10, 1991. She mostly enjoyed transporting the basketball and football teams to their away games. Helen also worked at The Village Laundry Mat in St. Joseph for 32 years, where she made many friends, always engaging in conversations and due to her strong work ethic, being helpful to laundry mats patrons and serving them doughnut holes and coffee. She was proud to be a homeowner and a self-sufficient woman.

Helen was a super fan of “SNOOPY”!!!! She had a huge collection of memorabilia that could been seen in every room of her St. Joseph home. She also could be found decked out in clothing from pajamas to sweatshirts covered with her favorite character.

Helen also was a lifetime member of T.O.P.S. (Take off Pounds Sensibly) for over 50 years, losing over 100 pounds and keeping it off. She also enjoyed getting together with friends at the St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center where they engaged in conversation and had fun laughing together. She always arrived early on the days when they served liver and onions to be first in line. Helen also treasured taking drives to area beaches where she enjoyed the solitude of looking at and hearing the waves and watching the clouds in the sky.

Helen embraced her Italian heritage and enjoyed Italian cuisine like Gumamadena, Pasta Con Sarde, Pesto, Biscotti and Italian Sesame Cookies.

Helen was quick witted, had a strong personality (you always knew where you stood with her), and she fiercely loved her family. She was a woman of faith, who religiously watched the live streaming church services offered by the Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph. Helen will be missed by all who love her.

Helen will be greatly missed by her loving daughter Margaret (Peggy) Catania of St. Joseph, her sisters Marie (Jack) Malsch of Bridgman, Prudy (Wyatt) Vondran of Coloma, and Sue (Jerry) Werner of Canton, Georgia. Helen is also survived by her special nephew, Jim Allen Catania “AKA #1” and his wife Janice of Bridgman, nephew Harold Schewe of Stevensville, her much loved nieces, Dawn (Gary) Mitchell of Auburndale, Florida, and Jackie (Mike) Myers of Bridgman who were all instrumental in her care and were an amazing support system and advocates for Helen. She is also survived by Rev. Tony Antonelli of Milton, Forida (a son from another mother), and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great- great nephews, and countless friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her daughter Josephine (Jo) Schlitter, Ronald Schlitter, the father of her children, Kim Schewe a special niece, her infant brother Joey, and her brothers: Albert, Bernard Jr., and James Catania.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman.