Helin Maria Pressley passed away on Saturday, May 5th, 2018 at the age of 61 after a long battle with cancer. She was a fighter until the end and now rests peacefully.
Helin was born in Leamington, Ontario. The daughter of hardworking German migrants, Helmut and Kathe Weichselbaum. She was a daddy’s girl. Helin grew up in Toronto, moved to Brampton in her teen years and then later returned to Toronto in her 30’s. A city girl at heart, Toronto remained her home. This was where she put herself through school while working full time and being a devoted single mother. Then built a career as a book keeper and later made a name for herself as a respected co-op housing property manager.
Helin had a wonderful sense of humour, was kind hearted, spiritual, an animal lover and a hardworking, independent feminist. She was also an avid music lover and sometimes a social butterfly. Helin was very intelligent and put a lot of thought into everything she did. She enjoyed gardening and encouraged her kids to be creative in whatever ways they chose.
Helin always wanted to help and was incredibly passionate. She was beautiful on the inside and out although she didn’t know it. Nor did she know her tremendous inner strength.
Helin believed in social justice and equal rights for all. She demonstrated and instilled these beliefs by bringing her children to Gay Pride parades and Take Back the Night rallies when they were young. They both reflect on these experiences fondly and are thankful that she advocated for others and taught them good values.
She made many friends and colleagues along her life journey and valued those relationships as well as time spent with family. She was loved immensely and will be sincerely missed by many.
Survived by her daughter Shanelle Katharina Westover, her son William Ryan Pressley, her beloved grand baby Nileh Ella Pressley and her cat Adobe. Last but not least, her lifelong best friend Michelle Dyer who really was the sister she never had.
She is now with her loved ones that have also moved on. Including her recently passed dogs Peggy Sue, Kitty and her grand puppies’ Theo and Kaya.
A memorial service will be planned by Helin’s children to celebrate her life. Details to be announced.
Helin was born in Leamington, Ontario. The daughter of hardworking German migrants, Helmut and Kathe Weichselbaum. She was a daddy’s girl. Helin grew up in Toronto, moved to Brampton in her teen years and then later returned to Toronto in her 30’s. A city girl at heart, Toronto remained her home. This was where she put herself through school while working full time and being a devoted single mother. Then built a career as a book keeper and later made a name for herself as a respected co-op housing property manager.
Helin had a wonderful sense of humour, was kind hearted, spiritual, an animal lover and a hardworking, independent feminist. She was also an avid music lover and sometimes a social butterfly. Helin was very intelligent and put a lot of thought into everything she did. She enjoyed gardening and encouraged her kids to be creative in whatever ways they chose.
Helin always wanted to help and was incredibly passionate. She was beautiful on the inside and out although she didn’t know it. Nor did she know her tremendous inner strength.
Helin believed in social justice and equal rights for all. She demonstrated and instilled these beliefs by bringing her children to Gay Pride parades and Take Back the Night rallies when they were young. They both reflect on these experiences fondly and are thankful that she advocated for others and taught them good values.
She made many friends and colleagues along her life journey and valued those relationships as well as time spent with family. She was loved immensely and will be sincerely missed by many.
Survived by her daughter Shanelle Katharina Westover, her son William Ryan Pressley, her beloved grand baby Nileh Ella Pressley and her cat Adobe. Last but not least, her lifelong best friend Michelle Dyer who really was the sister she never had.
She is now with her loved ones that have also moved on. Including her recently passed dogs Peggy Sue, Kitty and her grand puppies’ Theo and Kaya.
A memorial service will be planned by Helin’s children to celebrate her life. Details to be announced.
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