Helen Baumgaertel, age 75, died Dec. 10, 2009 from a sudden brain hemorrhage. Helen was born March 3,1934 in Limerick, Pa. to Warren and Juliet Rawlings. She attended Gettysburg College, where she was the homecoming queen.

She married Gerhard Baumgaertel and had two children, Marc and Susan. She lived in Seattle, then Peterborough, Ontario (Canada), finally retiring to Orcas Island, where she and her husband owned property for several decades. She was a passionate artist her whole life, most recently creating beautiful jewelry.

She is survived by her husband Gerhard, son Marc (Stacey), daughter Susan (Glenn), granddaughter Jennifer, mother Juliet, brother Baker, and sister Audrey.

Helen touched all with her magical spirit, and she will be dearly missed. The family will be having a private gathering.