Helen Evelyn Metzger, 93, of Woodcrest Villa, formerly of Columbia, passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at the Mennonite Home with her daughters by her side, holding her hands. She is now reunited with her beloved Johnny. She was born in Wayne, Alberta, Canada daughter of the late John and Eva Tancowny Balash and her family soon moved to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where she was raised. She was the wife of John P. Metzger for 54 years before he passed away in 1999. Helen worked at a variety of jobs, starting at a very early age, but will be most remembered by her employment at the Columbia Public Library, the Sherwood Knoll Restaurant Dining Room, as a manager, the State of Pennsylvania, and her last “fun” job giving out store samples for demo-works. She also enjoyed volunteering in her daughter’s school as a chaperone for school trips and the Girl Scouts. Helen was a highly creative woman and enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking, and being involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Helen and Jonny enjoyed traveling by car, bus and train all over the US and Western Canada to visit family. They also enjoyed going on cruises and bus trips.
She is survived by her daughters: Sharon L. (Kim) Lehr, Columbia and Dianne M. (Craig) Roda, Lancaster. Five grandchildren: Nicole (Sean) Campbell; Mark (Ann) Roda; Stephanie (Todd) Rogers; Christopher (Jamie) Roda; and Brandon Roda. Five great-granddaughters: Emmelee and Adelyn Campbell; Claire, Grace, and Katherine Roda. Sister-in-law: Shirley Balash, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one sister: Mary (Eugene) Plawiuk, and three brothers: Nick (Barbara) Balash; Paul Balash; and Alex (Gail) Balash.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Mennonite Home, especially the staff of Jackson Run, who cared for Helen.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Chapel at the Mennonite Home, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601 on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. with Chaplain Tracey Marx, officiating. Interment in Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to: the Columbia Public Library, 24 South 6th St., Columbia, PA 17512 or the Benevolent Care Fund of the Mennonite Home. Arrangements by the Workman Funeral Homes, Inc., Columbia/Mountville. To send an online condolence, visit the condolence page.
