Passed away suddenly after complications from a stroke, on September 6, 2021, with her daughter by her side at Alexandra Marine & General Hospital, Goderich at the age of 91.
Beloved wife of the late Ian Macintosh and the late Lothar Schlabitz. Cherished Mama and mother-in-law of Tanja Schlabitz and Gary Johnston and Steven and Barbara Schlabitz all of Oakville. Adored Oma of Emily, Kurt, and Libby. Helga will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by family and friends. Predeceased by her mother Catherina Daum.
Helga in her young 91 years was an elegant and vibrant woman with a wonderful laugh and smile. Helga was an avid reader, enjoyed classical music, old movies, good food, shopping, and Sunday drives in the country.
A special thanks to the exceptional nurses at Alexandra Marine & General Hospital, Goderich and to Dr. Neil and Steinmann for their care to Helga.
Following Helga’s wishes cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Oakville. Please check back for service details. Arrangements entrusted to Haskett Funeral Home, Zurich (519-236-4365)
In lieu of flowers donations to the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital, Goderich or charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Lucy and Manny Tavares
Tanja, Gary and family.
I just learned of the passing of your beloved mother – Helga. We send out deepest sympathy and condolences. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing
Hugs always
Lucy and Manny
Lindsay Skinn
So sadden to say goodnight to one of my favourite “particular” guests. Always such a pleasure having Helga in my salon chair!
You will be missed greatly.
My condolences to Tanja and Family.
Susanne Sigal
Dear Tanja, Steven and Family,
It was a real pleasure and privilege to get to know Helga. I admired her warmth, feisty spirit, hospitality and intelligence. I was especially touched by her true love for her children. Hearing her talk on the phone and say ‘Kind’ to her grown child just melted my heart. That love then extended to the rest of the family.
I wanted to thank you too for encouraging Helga to spend time with Maria and I. During our Bible discussions she regularly expressed her love for God and the promises he made for our beautiful future. She also shared stories of her childhood with her mother and grandparents, coming to Canada, and her wonderful family. We always had a very enjoyable time together.
Please know that you have my deepest sympathy,
Susanne Sigal
Karen Aikman
Tanja, Gary and family my thoughts are with all of you. I felt like I knew Helga through you. Your caring and dedication to her are to be admired. Through photo’s, it looked like she liked to have a lot of fun! Cherish the memories as she will continue live on in your hearts. Take good care of yourselves. Warmest regards
Maria Parys
So very sorry to hear of Helga’s passing, she came to be a great friend over the years and will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to her family. Love Maria
Catherine Oliver
Dear Tanja, Gary, Steve, Barb, Emily, Kurt and Libby
Craig and I were very sad to hear of Helgas passing.
I met Helga at her 70th birthday party for the very first time. Tanja introduced us and she welcomed me to her party with open arms!
We had been together a few times since and each time was another celebration!
On each occasion Helga was beautifully put together. She always had a big smile and when telling a story a very mischievous grin.
It was always a pleasure.
I know you will all miss her greatly.
She was a very interesting woman.
Big hugs to all of you!
Love, Craig and Catherine
Brian Zinken
Dear Tanja, Gary and family,
I was saddened by the news of Helgas death and immediately was flooded with many wonderful memories of being together for the many social gatherings over the past few years. She would say “ I like meeting new people “. She was a gem and always very engaged in our conversations. She was very proud of her family.
As the sting of death lightens, please hold fast and cherish all the memories of things you did together that helped especially in later years to fill her life. She’ll never be far away and take comfort in knowing how much she loved you!
With deepest sympathy, Brian
Joan Kaczmarski & Anton Seuradge
Our family has enjoyed getting to know Helga better these past few years, especially since she moved to Ontario’s west coast where we spend alot of our time these days.
Helga was excited to move to Goderich last year to be closer to Tanja and Gary. She enjoyed the “freedom of country living” and the “fresh country air” as she put it. She did however miss Steve, Barb and the grandkids very much, and was always so excited to see them.
We will forever cherish the last dinner we had with Helga at Tanja and Gary’s just days before her stroke. It was our first indoor dinner since covid began and it felt so very good being seated once again across from Helga at the round dining room table – “just like old times. “
Over the past few years, Helga shared many stories of her early days with us over a glass of rosé. As Helga and I both wore hearing aids, we didn’t always hear each other, but that never seemed to to matter.
We fondly recall the time we gave Helga a ride from Oakville to Bayfield – let’s just say she was not one to travel lightly:) . And we greatly admired her courage to try new things at her age – like the above ground spa pool. Seems like we were always celebrating something when we got together with Helga, but the most special of all was her 91st birthday.
We hold many lovely memories of Helga in our hearts. She was an elegant and vibrant woman with a beautiful laugh and smile who loved opera, old movies and just being around new people.
Most of all, she loved her family deeply , and was very proud of all of them, She also often told us how grateful she was for everything that Tanja and Gary did for her, especially these past few years.
“Mama/Oma”, as she was lovingly referred to, will be dearly missed by family and friends
Helga, you will be forever in our hearts…. and I am pretty sure at our dining room tables and on our patios – elegantly dressed, and with your signature smile, silently sharing a meal or glass of rosé with us all – “just like old times “
All our love
Joan, Anton, and family ❤️
Pat and Chris, Trish and Jordan Muldoon
It is with very heavy hearts that we write this tribute to Helga MacIntosh as our farewell to a dear friend for many years.
We were extremely fortunate to have had a visit with Helga a couple of days before she suffered a major stroke. She was returning to Oakville, where she had spent many decades, and her agenda included a graveside visit with loved ones, a patio visit with us, dinner with her entire family at her sons home, and a visit with her long time doctor. We had not seen Helga due to COVID for a year and a half. As always she was stylishly outfitted and well coiffed, and looking very well although more fragile than our previous visit. The following day Chris and I commented that she was pretty much ticking every box on her list that would be important to her, on this visit to Oakville. Little did we know just how true that was going to be!
We will always think of and remember Helga as a very strong woman who knew exactly who she was, and whom she wanted in her life. She was sometimes tough and prickly on the outside, but had a warm heart and deep affection for those she chose to be in her inner circle. We enjoyed many meals together, fun evenings attending great concerts which she cherished, and even a few road trips of which I have great memories. You always knew where you stood with Helga and we were certainly happy to stand beside her many times throughout her life.
We will think of Helga with great fondness and our memories of her will comfort us as we go forward.
Dear Helga, you will be forever in our hearts and we pray that you Rest in Peace.
Love your friends, Pat and Chris, Trish and Jordan Muldoon xox
Sandy and Ross Cumming
Gary,Tanja,Steve,Barb ,Emily,Kurt and Libby
I am so sorry for your loss. Helga will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Our friendship goes back many years with Gary and Tanja as does our relationship with Helga. In the last few years though we really got to know her on our visits with them. She was a wonderful caring woman who always asked after our family and shared her witty and thoughtful insights. She was very proud of her family and her pride in her grandchildren was very evident. I cherish the fond memories of laughter and conversation with Tanja and Helga. Appies and wine. And watching our chick flicks while the guys golfed
She was a lovely elegant woman and we will miss her dearly.
Linda Waterhouse
Dear Tanja and Gary, Steve and Barb and family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Helga’s passing. She was a very energetic and spirited woman! In any of my conversations over the years the main thing that stood out to me was how proud she was of her family. She treasured the family celebrations and so enjoyed the special outings, (Tanja, the mother and daughter tea!) with family. She had a great smile and laugh that went with her wry sense of humor.
She will be missed but not forgotten.
All our love to you all,
Linda, Bob, Ryan, Brandon Waterhouse, and Frances Jachymek
Bev and Craig Dickson
So sorry Tanja, Gary and family for your loss. As Bayfield neighbours we came to know Helga and witnessed her strength and determination. We are remembering her exercising with daily walks up and down the laneway, and Helga’s elegant style at our social gatherings. Helga loved her daughter and appreciated Tanja’s devotion to her care and well being. A Mom’s hug lasts long after she lets go. Bev & Craig Dickson