Helen Elsie Vandervoort

Helen Elsie Vandervoort, 83, of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side on the morning of Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Born on August 1, 1941, in Camden, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Helen (Carr) Cline.

Growing up in Sicklerville, NJ, she would graduate from Overbrooke Regional High School in 1958 before going on to earn her BA from the former Glassboro State College (now, Rowan University). She and her husband met in grade school, with the two tying the knot soon after her graduation from college and Jim’s honorable discharge from the U.S. Army. Helen put her degree to work by gaining employment as an elementary teacher before staying at home to raise her two daughters in Pitman, NJ, only blocks away from her only sibling, Dot Alampi. Not too far removed from the family homestead, she gardened with her father and made meals with her mother. She introduced her own family to camping, the importance of family gatherings, and good food. She loved a good crabcake! She and Jim carved a life of spirited adventure, speckled with stories to last a lifetime. She carried these earnest, genuine qualities throughout life, which attracted many people to her along the way. 

In the mid-1970s, Helen and Jim relocated to Rebuck, PA, where they let their entrepreneurship, work ethic, and drive, bring joy to people across the nation through a woodworking business, “Treasures of Wood.” Together, they designed and handmade millions of unique pine shelves, tables, and other small pieces of furniture over the next 44 years. Helen was skilled at finishing the products with her own flare. Painting and flower design were her signature traits. She returned to the classroom, ultimately retiring from Line Mountain School District as a teacher’s aide and substitute teacher. Again, in this second round of teaching, she gave joy, love and encouragement to young students, her favorite being kindergarteners. Her infectious laugh and hugs embraced many and rang true to her pure and good-hearted soul. She later moved with husband Jim to Mechanicsburg where she once again established a cozy home, welcoming new friends into her life and engaging in many family activities. A happy hour was hardly ever missed.

Helen was a devoted wife of 60 years, a loving mother and solid friend. She cared deeply for everyone and all creatures. Her tenacity to “get the job done” powered her spirit through many long nights “working in the shop” or selling their wood products at arts & craft festivals. She prevailed. She never winced. She was strong and uncharacteristically stubborn for a woman in that day and age. She overcame and endured life’s little setbacks with grace and humility and a can-do attitude; “we got this” was a phrase often expressed until her last days. Never one to sit on the sidelines, she kayaked at an older age, snorkeled in the Caribbean, took glorious cruises with dear friends and family, rode in a hot air balloon, and was a passenger in a NASCAR demo. She made memories, and even though those waned in the end, her spirit and the memories of her will last forever in each of us. 

Above all else, family and a cozy home was what mattered most to Helen. She loved her daughters, and she thoroughly enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow. She and her husband, Jim, were a model love affair, with the two nearing their 61st wedding anniversary later this month.

Surviving Helen is her husband and best friend, James J. Vandervoort; her daughters, Karyn Vandervoort (Barry Schoch) of Camp Hill, and Pamela Spotts (Brad) of Dalmatia; grandchildren, Jackson, Jocelyn and Derek; and a sister, Dorothy "Dot" Alampi.

Private, invite-only, services will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the animal rescue responsible for connecting Helen and Jim with their most recent canine companion, George. Donations may be made to Last Chance Ranch in Quakertown, PA, by visiting their website. Or you’re invited to simply light a candle during happy hour to remember the light, warmth and joy that she brought to so many.