Helen R. (Rutherford) Kane

Helen R. (Rutherford) Kane

A Passion for Gardening -

Helen R. (Rutherford) Kane, age 81, of Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14, 2019.  Helen was born on Monday, May 23, 1938 in Harrisburg to the late William Edward Rutherford and Elizabeth M. (Shutt) Hammer.  Helen was the widow of Albert “Mike” F. Kane, whom she married on May 24, 1958, and who died on June 18, 1998.  In addition to her parents and husband, Helen is preceded in death by her son, Mark E. Kane; and her brother, William Rutherford.

Helen’s survivors include her two daughters: Kandy M. Baker and her husband, Les, of Carrollton, GA, Kristine “Kris” K. Hull and her husband, Bill, of Mechanicsburg; her five grandchildren: Garrett Baker and his fiancée, Logan Neel, of Newnan, GA, Ethan Hull of Mechanicsburg, Anna Hull of Mechanicsburg, Owen Hull of Mechanicsburg, Aiden Hull of Mechanicsburg; her two siblings: Albert Rutherford of Ephrata, Dorothy “Dottie” Gilloway of Harrisburg; her many nieces and nephews; and her two beloved cats: Gracie & Mia.

Helen graduated from John Harris High School as part of the class of 1956.  She retired from Appleton Papers, Inc. in Mechanicsburg, after more than 20 years of service working as an accounts manager.  Helen was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg and a former member of Hope United Methodist Church.  She volunteered with New Hope Ministries and Mission Central in Mechanicsburg.  Helen loved to attend her water aerobics classes three times a week at Bethany Village.  She had a true passion for gardening and birdwatching.  Helen never let any of her bird baths go a day without being refilled.  She also really loved her cats and spending time in their company.  Helen went out to lunch often and to the movies with her friends, which she did most often in the winter when she couldn’t spend time in her garden.  She most enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s sporting events and cheering them on as they played, she was affectionately known as, “Grammie”.  Helen’s whole family will miss her dearly.

All are welcome to join Helen’s family at her viewing on Friday, September 20, 2019, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a service to begin at 1:15 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 135 West Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Dr. Dennis Keller officiating.  Honored to be pallbearers are: Garrett Baker, Gary Horetsky, Bill Hull, Ethan Hull, Owen Hull, and Keith Rutherford.  Helen’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church immediately following the service.  All are invited to join Helen’s family for her burial on Monday, September 23, 2019, with guests asked to arrive at Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, by no later than 11:00 a.m. to join the procession to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Helen’s life can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.StJude.org/Donate or York County SPCA, 3159 Susquehanna Trail, York, PA 17406, www.YCSPCA.org/Donate.

Helen’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Helen’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com