Obituary of Helen Pfeiffer

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Helen Pfeiffer on Wednesday March 16, 2011. Helen was the daughter of the late Luther and Alice Allin of Bowmanville. She was a lifelong resident of the area. Helen grew up on a farm just north of Bowmanville. After graduating from the business program at Bowmanville High School, she took a job with the Purchasing Department of General Motors in Oshawa, and married Otto Pfeiffer. Helen worked at GM until “retiring” to stay home as a full-time Mom to her two children, Susan and Paul. Helen later began her home-based business as a bookkeeper, and continued organizing the financial details of several local businesses until the time of her illness. Helen will be remembered by her clients as a detail-oriented, meticulous, and incredibly well organized person. In her spare time, Helen loved to garden, and to watch the many species of birds, especially the “hummers”, that frequented the yard at her rural home. She was an avid crafts person, creating beautiful works of stained glass, and sewing and knitting for her family. She was also a fantastic cook. Helen made many friends throughout her life’s journey, from her high school days, and during the course of her career, to more recent interactions with everyone from store clerks to health professionals. She will be remembered by those who were lucky enough to be part of her life as a cheerful, kind, warm and caring person. The highlight of Helen’s later years was becoming a Grandma to her three grandchildren, Rachel, Olivia, and David. The great tragedy of Helen’s untimely passing is that they will miss out on her continued involvement in their lives. She leaves behind a tremendous void. They never forget their beloved Grandma. Throughout her struggle with a rare form of cancer over the past few months, Helen’s strength, courage, and grace never wavered. She is truly a role model for us all. She remained a lady until the very end, and will always be remembered for her great kindness and unwavering optimism. Helen leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Otto, her children Susan (Peter) and Paul (Kimberly) and her three grandchildren, Rachel, Olivia, and David. Also mourning Helen are her brother George (Ann) and nephew Brian, as well as numerous friends and relatives throughout the Bowmanville area, and in other parts of Ontario and beyond. She will be sadly missed by all, but never, ever forgotten. Visitation will be held at THE NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME 53 Division St. N. Bowmanville on Friday March 18th, 2011 from 7-9 pm. A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel on Saturday March 19th, 2011 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care Unit at Lakeridge Health – Bowmanville Hospital. Cremation.