Obituary of Helen Van Hassel

VAN HASSEL, Helen (nee Kamp), 86, peacefully went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Helen was born in Paterson to Barney and Sietzke Kamp. Helen moved to Wyckoff with her husband in 1963. She was also a former summer resident of Green Pond, NJ, where she and her family spent many wonderful summers. Helen graduated from Eastern Academy, and then from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, with a degree in journalism. A competitive speed skater, in 1943 Helen skated in Madison Square Garden and won the Girls Intermediate Derby Silver Skates. While at Hood College, Helen participated in many activities and sports. In 1949, she was elected the Hood College "White Blazer Girl," the honor given to the most outstanding overall student in the graduating class. As a White Blazer Girl, Helen was a charter member of the Hood College Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. On June 24, 1950, Helen married the love of her life, Richard ("Dick") Van Hassel. Planning to celebrate their 63rd anniversary in June, Helen and Dick shared a life filled with love, friendship, and companionship. Together they raised four children: Lee, Abe, Rick and Barb. A fully-involved participant in her children's lives, Helen served as a youth group leader, band parent, Girl Scout leader, basketball cheerleader, advisor, confidante, and teacher. Having raised her children, Helen went back to William Paterson University to obtain her teaching certification in English and English as a Second Language. While at William Paterson, she was inducted into the Beta Chi Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, an honor and professional society in the field of education. After receiving her certification, she taught at both Ramapo and Indian Hills High Schools, retiring in 1995. After retiring from teaching, Helen didn't slow down. She served on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Christian Children's Retreat in Wyckoff and was a member of the Retreat's Auxiliary, where she worked tirelessly every year for both its Country Fair and Fashion Show. Helen loved being the "announcer" for the Retreat's Fashion Show, and the audience loved listening to her. Helen was a member of the Valley Hospital Auxiliary, and worked in Kurth Cottage for years. Helen also was a member, and served as President, of the Holland Christian Home Auxiliary. Strong in her faith in God, Helen was a member of the Wyckoff Reformed Church. She played in the Joyful Noise Bell Choir, was active on the Outreach Committee, and played the carillon on Sunday mornings. After joining the Wyckoff Reformed Church Helen remained a member of the Priscilla Circle of Second Reformed Church (now Abundant Life). Helen was the owner, operator and Chief Executive Officer of what her family lovingly referred to as "Camp Grandma." Any child or grandchild who visited, whether two-legged or four-legged, jeans and a t-shirt or furry coat, was loved, spoiled, fed, and rarely heard the word "no." Every grandchild knew where her stashes of Yoo-Hoo and Hershey's kisses were kept. While Helen loved to travel to different parts of the world, her favorite destinations were the cities in which her children lived. Because of her children, Helen visited North Dakota, Colorado, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, and Iowa. Helen was always willing to share her travel stories of blizzards, buffalo run-ins, the Enchanted Highway, or other adventures to anyone who asked. Helen was famous for her almond bars, making them to be sold at bake sales, church fairs, or just for Vacation Bible School snacks. When seeing her carry in her almond bars, people would scurry over to the baked goods booth to purchase them. Helen also never let a family holiday celebration go by without making a rainbow Jell-O mold in the appropriate colors of the season. Helen had a love of crossword puzzles and reading, which she passed on to her children. She enjoyed gardening, seeing shows at the Paper Mill Playhouse, going for drives with her husband, shopping, and just being with people. A gentle, humble soul, Helen improved the world just by being in it. She is greatly missed by her husband Dick Van Hassel, her children Leann Mehrer of Dickinson, N.D., Abram (Jeanne) Van Hassel of Westtown, N.Y., Richard (Joy) Van Hassel of Centennial, CO, Barbara Van Hassel of Wanaque, N.J.; her grandchildren Michael Van Hassel, Katie Mehrer, Richard (Alicia) Mehrer, Bram Van Hassel (fiancée Kaylai Mann), Daniel Van Hassel (fiancée Bridget Comeau), and Emily Van Hassel; her great-grandchildren Cole Metz, Robert Mehrer, Daniel Mehrer, and Sorcha Schultz; her brothers William Kamp of Wayne, NJ, Barney (Marie) Kamp of Grand Rapids, MI; her caregiver Monika Falisova, her grandcat Shelby, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. Helen is reunited in heaven with her parents Barney and Sietzke Kamp, her sisters Gertrude Foster and Sally Fyffe, and her brothers John, Sidney, Conrad, Daniel and Arthur Kamp. The family wishes to thank Monika Falisova and Valley Hospice for the wonderful care they provided to Helen over the past few months. They also wish to thank the many family and friends for their love, help and support given over these past months. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Helen's memory to the Eastern Christian Children's Retreat, 700 Mountain Ave., Wyckoff, New Jersey 07481. Visitation will be on Monday, May 6 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff. The service will be on Tuesday, May 7 at 11 a.m. in the Wyckoff Reformed Church, 580 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff. The gravesite service will be private. (www.vpfh.com)