Helga M. Palframan

Helga Palframan Obituary

B. 7/20/1932

D. 1/12/2025

Married Michael J. Palframan (D. 5/12/2021)

Born : Brandenburg, Germany to Karl and Elisabeth Zitzow

Children; Claudia, Lawrence, Karl and Kenneth, daughters-in-law, Michelle and Glennen; Grandchildren Michael (d. May 12, 2018), Elizabeth and her husband Douglas, Christopher, and his wife Jessica, Noah and Lily, great grandchildren Landon, Nolan and Remy. She also leaves her sister Gȕdrun, in Eltville, Germany, sister in law Pauline in England, and nieces and nephews in England, Germany and Poland. 

Helga Palframan lived a life like no other. Born in Western Germany in 1932, she lived a childhood interrupted by air raids, displacement and uncertainty. One of her defining qualities was her relentless optimism, even clear in childhood. She wrote: “We children played theater when school was called off”. At 18 she left Germany to pursue a nursing degree in London, and then a midwifery license in Scotland, where she delivered 51 babies. Helga then moved to Canada for a nursing job at McGill Hospital, and met her soon to be husband, Michael. He too grew up with a childhood interrupted, born the same day as her one year prior in England. Helga’s easy laugh and vivacious personality was matched by Michael’s pensive nature and carefully chosen words. They went on to move to the States and have four children, who late in their lives would not hesitate to pause their lives to provide care. Helga continued her education, earning an associates degree in occupational therapy while living a full and busy life. 

Helga lived in four countries, spoke three languages, four if Latin is included, was a Master Gardener and Garden Show Judge, and president of two garden clubs. She loved entertaining, was an environmentalist before it was a thing, and always had an unabashed appreciation for the male form. As her health deteriorated, she never lost her cheer, her love of nature, or the ability to find humor in any situation.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to any animal rescue