It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Helen Vogel on July 29th, 2022, at Hospice Georgian Triangle-Campbell House.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. A caring, kind friend and acquaintance to many in her community.
Helen leaves behind her husband Kurt of 67 years, her children Barb, Ken (Beckie), and Rob (Lisa), her adored grandchildren Marcus (Annie), Tristin, Eva, and Carson, her sister Anne Abella of California and her nieces and nephews in California and Switzerland. Pre-deceased by her brother Max Gerber (Switzerland).
Born in Switzerland on May 3, 1929, she immigrated to Canada in 1955, settling in Toronto. In 1975, she moved with Kurt to their beloved “Highland Glen” farm in Duntroon.
Helen was an active volunteer as a Sunday school teacher in Toronto, with the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, and the Duntroon Women’s Institute.
At Highland Glen she enjoyed her hikes around the farm with her dogs and cats, gliding through fresh snow on her cross-country skis and in deeper snow on her snowshoes. She truly enjoyed and spent most of her time in the kitchen creating meals for family, friends, and visitors. Gathering around and enjoying meals that she had prepared were some of her happiest moments.
Our family will fondly remember her homemade bread, jams, jellies, soups, pies and traditional Swiss Christmas cookies and Easter egg dyes. Her farm garden was also her pride and joy, where she plucked parsley and chives to enhance her incredible Swiss/European inspired cooking.
Tending to her flocks of sheep and chickens also provider her with much pride and joy.
Helen also greatly enjoyed her time gliding in the sunshine and finding solitude on the ski hill at close by Devil’s Glen Ski Club. She would be known to keep circling the same run, t-bar, and chairlift, all sharing the same name “Paradise” soaking in the sun at the right time of day when the sun was above the trees. Helen’s career highlights included Couture Seamstress in Europe, Au Pair in London England, and Park Plaza Hotel Food Services.
Her largest and long-term career success came as the foundational administrative backbone of her husband Kurt’s successful and highly respected residential and chalet construction business. She coupled this success with some sporadic forays in local real estate as well. Helen was an extraordinarily hard-working women balancing all her house Mom, business, volunteer, and farm tending responsibilities. When she could no longer care for herself and Kurt on the farm, they moved to the Raglan Retirement Community in Collingwood.
The family are immensely thankful and appreciative for the wonderful care provided by the teams at Right at Home Collingwood, CGMH, Hospice Georgian Triangle, and Dr. Mark Quigg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Georgian Triangle (Campbell House, Collingwood) or the charity of your choice. Celebration of Life Details. As per Helen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Family and Friends will be received at Chatterson Funeral Home, 404 Hurontario St., Collingwood, ON, on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022, from 5-7pm. To sign Helen’s Book of Memories or to leave a message of condolence for her family please visit www.chattersonfuneralhome.com