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Helen Vanderhorst Obituary
Helen R. (Temple) Vanderhorst passed away on October 20, 2024, at Kingston of Perrysburg. She was born in Maumee, Ohio, on August 14, 1930, the daughter of Avery and Alta (Slinker) Temple. She married Larry Vanderhorst on November 28, 1946, and celebrated 62 years of marriage before his passing in 2008.
Helen enjoyed cross country skiing, crocheting, reading, camping, weekends at her parents' cottage, and running many Blade 10 K's and Races for the Cure, often finishing at the top of her age group. She worked outside of the home at Franklin Ice Cream, Davidson Meats, the USPS, and at the office of Drs. Bazely and Walz.
Helen loved spending time poolside with family and friends, with an occasional margarita in hand. She was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Europe as a chaperone for two of her granddaughters, and to take many family vacations to Hilton Head, Michigan, Florida, California, Arizona, and a family cruise to the Caribbean.
Her greatest treasure was time spent with her family, especially her 15 grandchildren, Sarah, Chad, Becca, Jennifer, Breanna, Stephanie, Matthew, Michael, Emily, Lauren, Jessica, Anne, Heather, Peter, Andrea; and her 20 very special great-grandchildren, Jake, Patrick, Andy, Caroline, Hudson, Rachel, Molly, Abby, Eden, Maddie, Ella, Marin, Micah, Sidney, Neal, Libby, Alice, Sterling, Phoebe, and Scarlett.
Helen was also a comforting presence to many women who were in recovery, or whose spouse was in recovery from alcoholism.
Her optimism was reflected in her favorite saying on cloudy days: "It looks like the sun is trying to come out".
Helen is survived by her six children; daughters, Pat (Warren) Tipton, Jackie (Gary) Miller, Kathy Smith, and Nancy (Don) Zimmer; and sons, Mike (Terry Carey) Vanderhorst and Jeff Vanderhorst. Thank you, Mom, for the love you gave to each of us.
Her siblings, Ella Mae Walters, Clara Edwards, Esther Walton, Frank Temple, and Avery Temple, all predeceased her, as did her son-in-law, Dave Smith; daughter-in-law, Mary Wiitala; and her great-granddaughter, Quinn Elizabeth Tipton.
The family would like to thank the staff at Kingston of Perrysburg, and the personnel from Hospice of Northwest Ohio, for the care, compassion, kindness and love shown to Helen.
In her last act of unselfishness, Helen made an anatomical gift to UT-MCO. Those who wish to make a contribution in Helen's honor may consider Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
A celebration of a life well lived will be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Vanderhorst
5 Entries
Rick Sabo
November 25, 2024
Helen always called me the Mayor of Beverly and I always called her the First Lady of Beverly. A super person always ready for a conversation. You will and are missed in the Beverly Neighborhood . Rick Rosie Sabo
Kenneth and Diane Stein
October 30, 2024
To Pat and Warren, Mike and Terry and all the extended family, Our sincere condolences on the passing of your Mother. We hope that the love and support of family and friends will give you some comfort in this time of loss and grief. Fondly, Ken and Diane Stein
Pat Wagener
October 29, 2024
Jeff, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Thinking about and praying for you and your family.
Audrianna Rubio
October 27, 2024
My condolences to the family, it was a honor to know and care for Helen,you will be greatly missed, I remember walking down the hall I seen you peak up from your blanket and then you waved to me, I came into your room and we had a chat, forever in our hearts
Ann Mackley
October 27, 2024
Pat, Jackie, Kathy, Nancy, Mike, and Jeff, Your dear Mom was so sweet and kind from the day we met in 1970. Our lives would not have been the same without your parents!! God bless them!! Helen was an inspiration to me and to so many others after me, as Larry was to John, who made it 50 plus years!! Thank you for sharing them with us!! XOXO
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