INSPIRED BY THE SHADY DELL, YORK, PA, AND DEDICATED TO ITS OWNERS JOHN & HELEN ETTLINE
AND TO MARGARET ELIZABETH BROWN SCHNEIDER, NICKNAMED "THE OLDEST LIVING DELL RAT"


Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Remembering Helen


SHADY DELL OWNER
HELEN ETTLINE
DIED FEBRUARY 25, 1984,
36 YEARS AGO TODAY.

Whenever I hear this song, it reminds me
of a very special person, the first lady
of the Shady Dell... Helen Ettline.




Unforgettable, Helen...

That's what you are!


We love you and miss you.

22 comments:

  1. Tom,

    Ahhh, what a sweet memorial tribute to a woman who was very special in your life and that of many others. All though, she's no longer her, her presence lives on through the memories and warm feelings locked within you. One day,we'll see all those we loved again. RIP Helen!

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    1. Hi, Cathy!

      I'm pleased to see you, dear friend!

      Thanks for being the early early early bird for this special post honoring Helen Ettline on the 36th anniversary of her death. Yessum, I do hope we can be reunited with our lost loved ones someday.

      Thank you again for your kind visit and comment, dear friend Cathy!

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    2. Tom,

      I believe in heaven there will be a great reunion with a ginormous feast for us to share with those we love, as well as our special Jesus! Have a blessed day, my friend!

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    3. Hi, Cathy!

      Thank you for expressing those beautiful thoughts, dear friend. Have a great day and I'll see you again soon!

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  2. Yes, the perfect song and tribute for someone who impacted so many lives.

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    1. Hi, Alex!

      Thanks for coming early, good buddy! I post the same song every year at this time because I haven't found a better way to remember Helen than "Unforgettable."

      Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your week, good buddy Alex!

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  3. Perfect song for her. Even though it's been 36 years, I bet it seems like just yesterday. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Hi, Sherry!

      Thanks for being here again this year as I remember Helen on the date of her death. Yessum, seems like only yesterday that I walked into the Dell in mid March, 1984, and found John alone in Helen's snack bar. I asked where she was and was stunned to learn that she had died a few weeks earlier. I never got the news!

      Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend Sherry!

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    1. Hi, Arleen!

      Thanks for coming over, dear friend! I am happy you dropped in to help me remember The First Lady of the Shady, Helen Ettline, on this the anniversary of her passing. Every year on the blog I mark the birth and death dates of Dell VIPs John & Helen Ettline along with Margaret Schneider - The Oldest Living Dell Rat. Those dates, along with my yearly Mother's Day and Father's Day tributes, all fall within the first half of the year.

      Thank you again for being here for Helen this year, dear friend Arleen!

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  5. This is a beautiful tribute and i know she is smiling and happy that she is not forgotten and, in fact, is being known by more people through your blog

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    1. Hi, Birgit!

      Thank you very much for coming by, dear friend! It lifts my heart to think that the smile has returned to Helen's face (and the familiar twinkle to her eye) knowing that, by means of my blog tributes, more people know and love her than ever before. You have always been kind and generous in your comments about Helen, John and Margaret, and I thank you.

      Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend BB!

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  6. What a lovely tribute. I remember seeing the Unforgettable duet between Nat and Natalie and thinking how wonderful it was. Have a great week my friend.

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    1. Hi, Janet!

      Thank you very much for helping me remember Helen Ettline by means of this tribute post. The timeless virtual duet performed by Nat and Natalie is the best piece I ever found to honor Helen on the date of her death and that's why I keep posting it.

      Thanks again for being here for Helen, dear friend Janet!

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  7. Unforgettable. She meant a lot to you. You're very lucky to have known somebody like that in your youth.

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    1. Hi, Kirk!

      Thanks for being here again this year, good buddy, as I salute Helen Ettline on the anniversary of her death. Helen truly was "Unforgettable" and, on this Shady Dell blog, she will always be remembered and honored.

      Thanks again for paying your respects, good buddy Kirk!

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  8. She will never be forgotten because she has you to share her story and memory with all of us. I feel as if I have had the privilege of knowing her because of your blog. Rest peacefully Helen with your dear love, John. Have a good week Tom!

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    1. Hi, YaYa!

      Welcome, dear friend! Thank you very much for being on hand again this year as I salute The First Lady of the Shady - Helen Ettline - on the anniversary of her death. Perhaps Helen and John are dancing to "Unforgettable" on a great dance floor somewhere. It's a happy thought for a solemn occasion.

      Thank you again for expressing a few kind words for Helen, dear friend YaYa!

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  9. Remembering Helen is so easy, because of what she represented and how she contributed so much to you and your Dell Rat friends. I wish I could have known her, and could help her make burgers and drinks! You get so much interaction with folks and learn a lot from them when you are in a serving position.

    "Unforgettable" is a great song choice, Shady and voices of a great duo! Once you get a hold of it, Nat King Cole's voice is one that rings in your heart forever!

    It's good to see you Shady, take care! ♫

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    1. Hi, Suzanne!

      Thank you very much for coming by, dear friend! As a longtime follower, you know the drill by now. During the first half of every year I mark the birth and death dates of Dell VIPs John & Helen Ettline and Margaret Schneider and also salute the Ettlines on Mother's Day and Father's Day. I appreciate you being here as we observe 36 years since Helen's unfortunate passing at the too-young age of 73. You're right, Suzanne. Helen made incalculable contributions to the youth of York and Central Pennsylvania. You also make a good point about people behind the counter being in a position to learn a lot about their customers and human nature in general. In that respect Helen was a great and very patient listener as I and other rats told her our stories.

      I'm glad you appreciated the Coles doing their "Unforgettable" father - daughter duet again this year. It seems an ideal way to honor Helen and I am hesitant to go shopping for a different song.

      Thank you again for making time for a visit, dear friend Suzanne. It is delightfully cool here today and I am savoring the last of Florida winter. I hope you and Scootie are both well and in good spirits. Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  10. One of my favourite songs and so fitting of Helen. I am thinking of you today, dear friend, and always.

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    1. Hi, Jessica Marie!

      I'm glad to see you, dear friend! Thanks for being here again this year as I observe the anniversary of Helen Ettline's death. It's good to know that the Cole classic "Unforgettable" is one of your favorite songs.

      Thanks again, dear friend JM, and enjoy the rest of your week!

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I wanna know
What you're thinking
There are some things you can't hide
I wanna know
What you're feeling
Tell me what's on your mind