Helen Catherine George Siler

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Helen Catherine George Siler passed away peacefully on February 22, 2021, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina at the age of 93.

Helen was born in Port-aux-Basques, Newfoundland, Canada, the youngest daughter — out of 10 children — of Arthur Lewis and Leah George. Her father worked for the Newfoundland Railway System (which became the Canadian National). Her summers were spent in a cabin in McDougalls, on the ocean between Port-aux-Basques and Corner Brook. When she was 15, the family moved to Corner Brook where her father was the Station Agent for the railroad.

Helen graduated in 1949 from the Phillips School of Nursing in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and worked in pediatrics at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Desiring a warmer climate — and husbands, Helen and two of her closest nursing friends, emigrated to the United States, first to Maryland — working at Baltimore General for two years, and then to Chapel Hill, when the University of North Carolina Hospital opened. Within a year, all three nurses had jobs and husbands. Helen met Robert Siler, a handsome graduate student on the GI bill, at her friends’ “stop and flop.” It was love at first sight, partly because Helen owned a car. They married shortly thereafter and had their three children in the next four years.

Moving around the South — Raleigh, Johnson City, Hickory, Frankfort, Atlanta — for Bob’s jobs for the first seven years, they ended up settling in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area until Bob’s retirement. Helen was involved in the kids’ activities, as well as being a substitute school nurse. Through the years, she took charge of the finances for several investments and rental properties. Helen developed a life-long love of golf, playing with Bob and other couples in travels around the world. Helen began the Junior Golf program at Reston Country Club, where all three of her children played. Helen won the Washington area Women’s Championship. When Bob retired, they moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where they played golf, traveled and entertained family and friends.

Helen is remembered fondly by all for being a gracious hostess and gourmet cook. She was known for her Black Forest Cake, her oatmeal cookies, and especially her carrot cake. In fact, she usually had a carrot cake in the refrigerator when special visitors arrived. She loved her grandchildren, and always provided craft supplies and spices for them to make their own creations.

After several hurricane evacuations in South Carolina, Helen and Bob returned to Chapel Hill where their love story started, residing first at the Governor’s Club, then at Carolina Meadows.

Helen is survived by her husband of 66 years, Robert W. Siler Jr.; children, Michael Siler (Pam), Peter Siler, and Linda Siler (Ralph); ten grandchildren, Grayson, Micah, Ben, Beth, Amy, Katharine, Matthew, Mary, Alexandra, Julia, and 10 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is to be held in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to UNC Health Foundation — Pediatrics Department. Checks may be made payable to UNC Health Foundation with Helen George Siler in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to UNC Health Foundation,123 West Franklin Street, Suite 510, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27516.