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May 29, 2008U.P. Newspaper Woman Dies
Helen McGregor Leaves Legacy as Champion of U.P. Women and Seniors
Iron Mountain, MI: Helen McGregor, 59, editor and co-owner of Mrs. McGregor's Fiftyplus Newspaper, passed away on Wednesday, May 28 at the Dickinson County Hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan. McGregor was well know across the Upper Peninsula for her efforts spotlighting issues facing adults over 50 years of age and her strong support for women in business.
Known to most as “Mrs. McGregor”, her paper and editorials were read by thousands of people in the U.P. every month. Her publications included Mrs. McGregor’s Mature Citizen, which later became Mrs. McGregor’s Fiftyplus, and U.P. Woman Magazine. With over 16 years in publication, the Fiftyplus monthly paper grew to become a primary source of "senior" information to people in the U.P.
“Helen was passionate abo ut providing news and information to her readers that celebrated their lives,” said Attorney Robert Anderson, of Anderson Associates of Marquette. “She was adamant about quality of life, and sharing stories and articles that focused on improving that quality for people over 50. She was a woman who lived each day to the fullest, and refused to be defined by her age.”
Helen grew up in Traunik, Michigan (Alger County), the oldest of eight children of Tony and Marian Knaus. She graduated from Eben High School in 1967 and attended Northern Michigan University.
Her passion for writing began as a small child, and never waned. In a sixth grade essay she wrote that she wanted to be the editor of a newspaper some day, and in 1992, fulfilled that dream. Deciding that there was an “information void” in the Upper Peninsula for people 50 and over, she started her own newspaper and called it "Mrs. McGregor's Mature Citizen."
In 2003 the name was changed to Mrs. McGregor's Fiftyplus. With the n ew moniker, the paper grew and prospered. Filled with vital information for baby boomers, it also featured one of the things McGregor treasured most; humor. As an Upper Peninsula native, she was familiar with her audience and worked tirelessly to provide the type of information, advice and perspective she felt they were looking for.
McGregor was appointed to and served on the Marquette General Advisory board from its’ inception in 1994 until 2008. She was an active member of the North American Mature Newspapers Association, and actively promoted businesses and organizations that served the Upper Peninsula’s senior community.
“Helen was a complete joy to be around, all of the time,” reflected husband, Ken. “She was dedicated to her profession, but had a gentle and caring nature. She always put others first. Most people didn’t realize it, but for the last six months, the majority of the papers were produced in Hospitals in Michigan, Florida, North Carolina and Wisconsin. In fact, the current (May issue) of Mrs. McGregor Fiftyplus was produced completely in room 805 of St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, WI. It was important to her to be near her loved ones, but her readers also came first and she wasn’t about to let them down.”
The May edition of Mrs. McGregor’s 50plus featured, as it did each month, “Life as I See It”, an editorial by Helen McGregor. Her last words to her devoted readers included, “As I look back at these sixteen years of my life this “baby” as I call her, I look back on a career filled with tremendous opportunities and blessings. I feel as if this publication is a part of who I am and what I still want us to achieve together. Aging in the Upper Peninsula is tough. I want to be a positive apart of making it easier for all of Mrs. McGregor’s Family. Have a wonderful month of May. There is so much to celebrate.”
The May publication can be viewed in its entirety on www.mrsmcgregor.org.
Helen McGregor is survived by her best friend, soul mate and husband Ken McGregor, their son, Captain Jason Rabideau (Jeanette) USAF Creech AFB, Nevada and her two golden retrievers, Max and Molly. Helen is also survived by six brothers and sisters, Pat (William) Porter of Traunik, MI, Tony Knaus (Kathy) of Traunik, MI, Connie Miller of Aberdeen, WA, Jerry Knaus of Munising, MI, Robert Knaus (April) of Escanaba, MI, Paul (Laura) Knaus of Eben, MI, two step daughters, Jill McGregor Hainline of Great Falls, VA and Katy McGregor Gaietto of Arlington, VA and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother John.
Visitation services will be at the Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain on Sunday, June 2, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (CT). A funeral service will be held Monday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 221 West B St. Iron Mountain, immediately followed by a "Celebration of Helen Life" event at the Blind Duck Inn, Cowboy Lake Kingsford, MI.
