Lois A. (Hibbard) Helou

April 16, 2025

Lois Ann Hibbard Helou, b. Dec. 12, 1936, and long-time resident of Houghton Lake and Prudenville, as well as a snowbird in Zephyrhills, Fla.

Lois was born in Owosso, Mich., to Leslie and Aletha (Holcomb) Hibbard, and was class valedictorian at Byron High School, going on to earn a degree in early elementary education at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. While a student there, her world expanded immeasurably when she met and then married Khalil G. Helou.

Before settling in the Houghton Lake area, Lois and Khalil lived, at various times, in Pennsylvania, California, Minnesota, Washington, D.C. and England. Those experiences inspired a lifelong love of travel, and especially meeting extended Helou family members in Europe, the Middle East and South America. She first came to the local area with her parents, camping and then building a cottage and small resort on Houghton Lake’s West Shore.

The daughter of teachers, Lois taught kindergarten at Collins Elementary School in Houghton Lake for 20 years, one of the first to introduce the all-day, alternate-day format. She took special joy in meeting adults -- successful  professionals, business owners and parents -- over the years who had been her students. She also taught special needs classes and was a substitute teacher for many years in the district, as well as teaching assignments in Roscommon, Mt. Pleasant, and Pittsburgh, Pa. Creative and expressive, she enjoyed cooking, floral and fiber arts, music, children’s literature, and community events.

Lois is survived by husband of 66 years Khalil, sons B. Gabriel (Audrey) of Royal Oak, Mich., Leslie (Stephanie Young-Helou) of Pendleton, Ind., daughter Lora (Tim Hoepfner) of Cincinnati, OH., and brother Hollis Hibbard of Byron, Mich. Also surviving are grandchildren Christan (Brock) Thomas, of Asheville, NC., Collin of Chicago, and Spencer of Pendleton, Ind.

No services are planned at this time. Friends and loved ones are encouraged to consider a donation to support the well-being of children via unicef.org or unicefusa.org.

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