Helene Kothe (née Meckling) passed away peacefully at the age of 90, with her husband by her side at the Willowbend Retirement Community in Orleans on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Helene was born in Josefsberg, Poland on December 1, 1934. She married her loving husband William in 1955 and together they immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1956. They settled in the Vankleek Hill area where they raised their family. She was the adored mother of Barbara (Barry Paulson), Angela (Lewis Silver), Ralph (Cheryl Pegelo) and Evelyn (Michael Skelton) and sister of Horst Ritthaler. She leaves behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Following their retirement, Helene and William traveled extensively before moving to Orleans in 2011. Helene’s memory will live on through her family, whose lives have been enriched by her unwavering love and support. The family would like to thank the staff at the Willowbend Retirement Community, Bayshore Home Care and Orleans Palliative Care for their kindness and professional care. A private family commemoration will be held to honour Helene. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. A Tree of Remembrance in her honour will be planted in the McAlpine Forever Forest, Vankleek Hill. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hillcrest Funeral Home. www.hillcrestfuneralhome.ca.
“Those we love remain with us
for love itself lives on,
and cherished memories never fade
because a loved one’s gone
Those we love can never
be more than a thought apart,
for as long as there is memory,
they’ll live on in the heart”
