Helen Marie Burgess (Helena Turowski), 82, was born March 2, 1943 in Poland to Jozef and Maria (Majstruk) Turowski. She always celebrated her birthday on May 3 due to a WW2 story that made dates complicated: At the age of eight Helen and her family migrated as displaced persons from the Bremerhaven Resettlement Camp in Germany aboard the USS General Greely through the Port of New Orleans in 1951. She proudly became a U.S Citizen in 2004, and she lived in Blue Springs for over 40 years.

Helen was previously married to James Mack Burgess with whom she shared three children.

Later, she raised her granddaughter, Stephanie Marquez (Burgess).

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brother Stanley Turowski, and brother-in-law Edward Zebrowski.

Helen is survived by: three sisters, Henrietta (Daryl) McCluhan, Teresa Zebrowski, and Michelle Cutler; three children, Sherry Burgess-White, Jeanna (Mark) Green, and James (Karen) Burgess; three grandchildren, Stephanie (Isaac) Marquez, Brandon (Miranda) Green, and Aaron Burgess; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Helen worked as a waitress for decades and was working at the historic Radisson-Muehlebach Hotel Haberdashery restaurant until it closed. She then worked for UMB Bank until her retirement in 2006.After retiring, she spent most days enjoying all types of activities and volunteering at Vesper Hall in Blue Springs. She never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation anywhere.

Everyone knows her favorite color – purple. She enjoyed looking for mystery novels and treasures at garage sales and thrift stores. There was nothing she couldn’t do, fix, make beautiful (or turn it purple). If she didn’t know how to do something, she’d figure it out and make it work (with or without the right tools or parts).

Helen loved collecting and crafting. She had an innate talent and passion for quilting, sewing, making home decor, and especially making jewelry. She had an extensive collection of special edition Barbies and Baby Face dolls (and she proudly made themed outfits for each to display).

Helen also loved dancing and live music. She was a lifelong fan of Elvis, attended several of his concerts, and her passion never faded. Later in life she became a fan of the harmony of Celtic Thunder and Keith Harkin. She also enjoyed cheering on the KC Chiefs and her favorite player, Travis Kelce.

Helen was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs, where Funeral Mass will be celebrated on November 1, 2025.

St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church

4313 MO-7 Blue Springs, MO  64014

Visitation: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m.