Helen Gloria Koppel

Helen Gloria (Ehrlicher) Koppel, 92, of Troy, VA died peacefully on October 18, 2024 at Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, VA with her daughter Christine by her side.

Helen was born on February 16, 1932 in Winnipeg, Ontario, Canada to Helen (nee Dick) and Christian Ehrlicher. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Robert E. Koppel.

Helen showed her fierce, independent spirit by overcoming a challenging childhood and furthering her education both formally and as an autodidact. Over the years, she thrived in roles as Legal Secretary, Office Manager, and Administrative Executive. She was an accomplished Duplicate Bridge player, an Accredited Bridge Teacher, and attained the level of Silver Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League.

Helen had an incredible command of the English language, an extensive library, and loved reading. She also thoroughly enjoyed music, art, travel, and adventure. She was highly accomplished at all the domestic skills required of her generation and made every house into a home. She had a beautiful voice and dreamt of being an opera singer, only to use that skill to break out spontaneously in song while raising her children.

Helen was a dedicated, life-long volunteer. She believed that the value you bring to your life is in the service that you bring to others. She volunteered at her children's schools, served as the Worthy Matron of Harmony Chapter #13, Order of the Eastern Star, Board Trustee for the Masonic Easter Star Home for Children, the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, Board member of Sun City Home Owner's Association, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Clare Bridge/Brookdale Dementia Care Center of Phoenix, Unity Spiritual Center of Sun City as well as other churches she was a member of during her life, and she gave regularly to various charitable organizations. She led a life rich in service to others.

Helen is survived by Lisa (Bruce) Roed of Lutherville-Timonium, MD; Christine Koppel of Troy, VA; Karen Koppel of Bend, OR; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins; and several people who were very special to her and her to them.

Thank you to Christine Koppel, who lovingly and thoughtfully cared for Helen in the last three years of her life, and to Katie VanSciver, who consistently provided generous support in so many meaningful ways. We also thank the excellent medical team of the University of Virginia and the kindness of Hospice of the Piedmont.

A Virtual Memorial will be held at 3:00 pm (EST) on Saturday, December 7, 2024. For more information, please reach out to Katie VanSciver at katie.vansciver@gmail.com.

In place of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (Alzheimers.org), Hospice of the Piedmont (hopva.org), or Helen's favorite local charity, Gentle Moon Conservancy, a private animal sanctuary (paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/3936640).

Condolences may be sent to www.abettercremation.org. PUBLISHED BY ABC on NOVEMBER 1, 2024.