The Helm at the Boll Life Center honors its namesakes during portrait unveiling

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Dozens of residents visit The Helm at the Boll Life Center every day, and now they’ll be able to see the couple who made the Grosse Pointe Farms-based senior center possible.

A portrait of John and Marlene Boll was unveiled during an event June 5 at The Helm. The Bolls’ substantial gift in June 2012 got major fundraising rolling for renovations to transform a historical building at 158 Ridge Road into The Helm.

John Boll Sr. died Aug. 24, 2022, at the age of 93, but his wife of 68 years, Marlene, was in attendance for the portrait unveiling, joined by several of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“We were very happy with the way it turned out,” Marlene Boll said of The Helm. “It’s just a joy, seeing all of the people enjoying it. … It’s helped so many people.”

The three-story building — estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 square feet — opened as the new home for what was then known as Services for Older Citizens following renovations in June 2013.

The Helm started out as Services for Older Citizens in 1978. For decades, it didn’t have a permanent home, instead occupying space in school buildings and, for 10 years, the Neighborhood Club in Grosse Pointe City. Helm Executive Director Krista Siddall said the board in 2007 began looking for a building they could call their own. Henry Ford Health agreed to a low-cost, 30-year lease of the building at 158 Ridge, which had once been a residence for nurses.

“However, the building had been empty for years and needed a lot of work,” Siddall said. “John and Marlene Boll saw our vision. … If not for the Bolls and their commitment, we would not be here today.”

Their gift didn’t end with that donation. Siddall said the Bolls have continued to support The Helm every year.

The Helm offers health and wellness classes, individual counseling with social workers on a range of issues, a medical loan closet, socialization opportunities and much more to the seniors in the five Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods. It receives some government and other grants, including Community Development Block Grants, but is otherwise solely supported by donations.

Installing the portrait of the Bolls just made sense to Helm officials.

“The Boll family has done so much, not only for The Helm, but for the entire community,” Helm Development Director Liz Johnson said.

Lisa Mower Gandelot, of Grosse Pointe Farms, who serves on The Helm board, said the Bolls “have been so wonderful to our metropolitan community and even the country” through their extensive philanthropic work. She said the role played by The Helm is evident every time she visits.

“What I love most about The Helm is coming in and seeing the joy on people’s faces,” Gandelot said.

The Helm’s home has a long and important history in the community. Formerly known as the Newberry Nurses Residence, the building was designed by well-known architect Raymond Carey and once housed about 20 nurses who worked at the neighboring former Cottage Hospital, which is now operated by Henry Ford Health. The primary donor for the building was Helen Newberry Joy. Construction was completed in 1930, and a grand opening took place June 10, 1930.

Kristine Mestdagh, one of John and Marlene Boll’s daughters, remembered being with her parents when they first toured the building, before renovations began. Her father, who worked in construction, saw the challenge ahead.

“He saw the construction needs of this building,” Mestdagh said. “He said, ‘This building needs a lot of TLC.’ He paused and said, ‘Mar, I think we can make a difference.’”

Mestdagh said The Helm is a place where people can ask for help “while experiencing compassion that protects their dignity.”

Mestdagh said she hopes The Helm remains “a place of belonging” for generations to come.

“It’s just been a magical place for so many people,” Mestdagh said.