Helen Irene Buday, 94, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025. Helen said that she would like to be remembered as a happy, optimistic, caring person who loved to laugh – even if the joke was on her and for being one who could always be counted on to be there and listen. She always shared with her family to keep the glass half full and she lived by that motto. The last thing she would always say when someone would say I love you, was "I Love You More" and she meant it!

Helen was born on January 20, 1931 in Battle Creek to the late Glen and Martina Merriam. She graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1949 and moved to Traverse City in 1953 after graduating from Michigan State College with a degree in Elementary Education. She remained a lifelong Michigan State fan. During her college years she worked summers at Post Cereal in Battle Creek and she was one of the first people to package the newly invented Super Sugar Crisp Cereal. She then went on to teach second and third grade at Traverse Heights Elementary. While teaching, she met Tony Buday who was repairing the heating system in her classroom. They were married on October 22, 1955 at Immaculate Conception Church. Together they had four sons, Mike, Chris, Jon and Jeff and she delighted in being a stay-at-home mom with them. They were her pride and joy and she always enjoyed being with them.

Helen loved living on Long Lake and was a nature lover. Some of her most memorable times were the quiet times on the porch or at the family cottage on the Boardman River watching all the birds and wildlife. She looked forward to her lunches and Sunday Dinners with family and friends. She also loved to travel. Two of her favorite destinations were Hawaii and Palm Desert, California. Throughout her life, Helen also loved to cook and entertain. The annual summer parties that she and Tony threw were legendary. She always said it was fun to try new recipes and she had quite the cookbook collection. She treasured them and often read them like novels. Reading other books brought Helen great joy too. Her love of reading began in grade school and later in life she loved to trade books with her friends.

Helen was a sports enthusiast, especially when her sons and grandsons were involved. She attended nearly every football and basketball game and loved to tailgate. She and Tony celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at MSU with a tailgate and many friends and relatives. They were delighted to see their anniversary celebrated on the jumbotron during the big game.

Music was another big part of her life. She enjoyed listening to concerts where Jeff performed in high school, at MSU and the Northwestern Michigan College and Symphony Choirs. She enjoyed visiting New York with friends to see musicals and each one made her smile.

Helen joined her beloved husband Tony in Heaven along with her parents, brother George, sister-in-law Esther and nephew Frank.

Helen is survived by her sons Mike (Michele), Chris, Jon and Jeff; three grandsons Andrew (Danelle), Jonathon (Alana) and Nicholas; great granddaughter Natalie and many extended family and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on February 18, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Please visit https://www.immaculatetc.org/livestream to watch the service if you are unable to attend in person.

Interment of her remains will take place in the spring at Linwood Cemetery in Long Lake.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to Immaculate Conception Church or to Sunrise Rotary's Backpacks for Kids program (Rotary Club of Traverse Bay Sunrise Foundation, Backpacks for Kids, P.O. Box 21, Traverse City, MI 49685) which supplies backpacks and school supplies to kids every fall.

The family would like to thank her caregiver Pat and the staff at Willow Cottage at the Grand Traverse Pavilions for their love and care.