Helen Bernice Schroth enjoyed her 99th birthday on February 6th, 2020 with many friends and family calling and stopping by that day to wish her Happy Birthday. This photograph is of her enjoying her birthday dinner that night, feeling great and looking amazing! She was called by the Lord four days later from Vernon Hospital with her husband Fred and family by her side. After nearly returning to their residence at noon that last day she "faded like a flower" throughout the afternoon as Jesus decided that this was her time.
An inspiring symbol of endurance, this was a journey she had started once before during one of the five major and difficult surgeries she championed past the age of 90. At one particular moment, she traveled toward the light and was met by her sister, Vera, who had passed away as a child before Helen was born. Feeling incredible love and acceptance from the little girl and although knew how wonderful it would be to take her hand and go with her, she decided her husband and the family needed her still and she returned to us for another 6 years. We are so fortunate for that extra time.
Being bright, alert and without pain during her time in the hospital she talked about all of the family, each and every member, expressing how proud she was of them and how much she loved them. Her husband Fred, son Harold (Cindy) and grandchildren Chelsea (Matt), Reid (Jazlyn), Sean Cromie (Kelsey), son Ron and grandchildren David (Theresa), Richard (Viola) were all spoken of and most were able to have a nice long visit with her during her time at the hospital.
Small in size but immense in her loving effect on people; she had friends from around the world, people who she had met during her decades as a host at Vernon's first bed and breakfast. For many of the guests her spirit stayed in their hearts after staying at the "Schroth Farm" on East Vernon Road and would seek her out and visit her again; sometimes even decades later.
We shall miss her dearly, but it was time for her to join her sister Vera and her parents, Maymie and Delbert Keller.
A celebration of life will be held in March.
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