A Celebration Of Life: Helen Einwechter
July 27th, 1917 – August 12th, 2022
Helen Isabelle Einwechter (Reeve) passed away peacefully at Doon Village Retirement Residence Friday, August 12,2022 just 2 weeks after celebrating her 105th birthday. She was predeceased by her husband Gardner in 2003 and is survived by her children Rick and Ruth Foss, Glen and Gail Einwechter, and Doug and Marianne Einwechter. Loved and very proud Grandmother of Jenni and Richard Guy, Traci and Brian Decaro, Tyler and Brenda Foss, Todd and Sasha Einwechter, Melanie and Shaun Bakker, Laura Einwechter, and Mark and Chelsea Einwechter. Adored Great Grammie of Hannah, Sarah and Myah Foss, Eva and Astrid Guy, Triniti and Holly Decaro, Adam and Gwen Einwechter, Callan and Liam Bakker and Sloan Einwechter.
Helen was born and raised on her family farm in Puslinch township to Robert and Ellen (Rogerson) Reeve and lived in a loving household that included her grandparents Capel and Agnes Reeve. She is survived by her sister-in-law Jane Einwechter and is predeceased by one brother Bill Reeve and his wife Hilda and Helen’s brothers and sisters-in law Charlie and Ida, Myrtle and Fred Angus, Hazel and Harvey Sauder, Ken and Audrey Davies and Cameron Einwechter. Helen loved and was loved by her nieces and nephews from the Reeve and Einwechter families as well as many children of friends and neighbours who called her Auntie Helen.
Helen and Gardner were married Aug 31, 1940 and in 1942 Gardner enlisted and they lived In British Columbia for the next 3 years where they made many lifelong friends and where they were supported by family who lived there. They raised their family on Cooper St where they lived for 43 years. In 1991 they moved to their apartment at St Luke’s Place where Helen quickly became involved and became part of the St Luke’s family where she supported and was supported by her many friends. Helen was president of the St Luke’s Place Auxillary, a member of the tenant’s association, actively involved in fund raisers with her “team Helen’ and a vibrant part of her scrabble group. In March of this year Helen moved to Doon Village Retirement Residence.
Helen attended a one room school at SS11 school in Puslinch, GCI, and Guelph Business College. She worked in the early years at Dominion Woollens and throughout her life supporting her husband and family. She was a strong woman of faith, determination and purpose.
Helen grew up attending St Andrews Presbyterian Church and has been an active member of Hespeler Baptist Church for 84 years. Besides being church clerk for many years Helen was involved in the founding of Pioneer Girls, ministry to children, and women’s missionary society. She hosted Bible Clubs for Child Evangelism Fellowship. She used her gift of hospitality to minister to many.
Helen was an Honorary Board member of Ellis Chapel which was an important part of her life from the early days when she attended Sunday School, through the restoration period when she and Gardner actively participated in the process of restoring and maintaining the building. Helen loved to attend services each summer and we had plans to take her to the service this past Sunday.
It was important to Helen to be independent and besides the help of her family she was supported until the end by a host of friends and caregivers who helped her achieve this goal including Gertrude, Carmen, Alison, Amanda, Dale, Teresa, Joyce, Divyaba, Esther, the Warm Embrace Team, Paramed Caregivers, the patient, loving and caring staff at Doon and the many members of her health teams in Cambridge and Kitchener.
Helen’s memory remained clear and active until the end. It was very important to her to stay in touch with family and friends, wanted to know what they were doing what was important to them and that she loved them and cared about them. She embraced every change that happened throughout her long life. She had many Facebook friends. She had a wealth of knowledge about family and local history especially of the farm community in Puslinch.
Helen’s family will receive friends at Lounsbury Funeral Home, 1766 Franklin Blvd, Cambridge on Thursday, August 18th from 5:00 to 8:00 and a service to honour her life well lived will be held at Hespeler Baptist Church on Friday, August 19th at 11:00 AM. Interment at New Hope Cemetery at 2:00. The family requests that masks be worn inside the Funeral Home and the church.
Donations to Ellis Chapel (Cheques made out to Ellis Pioneer Chapel can be mailed c/o S Fletcher, 6681 Ellis Rd Cambridge N3C 3Y4 or online at eliischapel.ca through Canada Helps) or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
