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Helen R. Appell
02/21/2021

On February 21, 2021, Helen June Appell, loving mother of 4 children, passed away peaceably

at the age of 92. Helen was born 6/5/1928 in Chicago, Illinois to John and Carolina Richter.

Always industrious, Helen started working at the age of 15 by lying about her age during the

second World War. Helen had wanted to go to college, but during the depression, her family

was only able to send her brother John and not Helen nor her sister Marion. Helen had

aspirations to go into clothing design but worked successfully as a bookkeeper until marrying

and starting a family.

While raising her 4 children, Helen started selling a fabric line in her home

and took a dress designing class. From then on, she not only made but also designed much of

her clothing. Helen also started a burgeoning business (inspired by a family pet) in breeding

and selling parakeets, cockatiels, and other birds in the family home. The business eventually

became a store in Pitcairn, PA called ‘The Bird Cage’. Helen was an entrepreneur. She was

creative and constantly busy with many activities which included sewing, quilting, as well as,

other handicrafts and gardening.

Helen is survived by her 4 children, Lucy, Bill, Carolyn and

Ellen; 5 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.