Helga Fox
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Oma, and friend, Helga Fox. She passed peacefully on the evening of October 5th, surrounded by family. She was loved by her four children, her many grandchildren, and the countless friends that she had in Santa Barbara and around the world.
Helga was born Helga Theresa Philomena Maier in Munich, Germany, on March 1st, 1929. She was the oldest of four children, and grew up in the difficult conditions of wartime Germany, helping her mother to raise her siblings and survive the strife that engulfed her homeland. She met her future husband, Wayne Eugene Fox, when he was an American serviceman stationed in southern Germany. They fell in love and married in Germany in August 1954, before moving to America, settling initially in Bakersfield, California. Their oldest daughter Berniece was born in 1955, with son Steven following in 1957 and the twins Linda and John in 1960. In 1963, they purchased their home in Santa Barbara where Helga would live for the rest of her life.
Life as an immigrant was challenging, but Helga worked hard to become fluent in English and earn her American citizenship, something she was very proud of. Along with raising her four children, Helga worked as a seamstress and tailor for many years out of her home, running a successful business and practicing what many now consider to be a lost art. There was nothing she couldn’t create with a sewing machine, needle and thread, knitting needles, and her own two hands. She was wonderfully talented, and created beautiful clothing, holiday decorations, lace, and household items that are still used and will be loved for many years.
Her artistic talents continued after her retirement, when she took up painting and created lovely pieces that are cherished by the friends and family members she gifted them to. She also loved reading, gardening, and baking, in particular making wonderful German Christmas cookies that her family looked forward to every holiday season. Helga took the opportunity to travel widely, returning to visit Germany many times and traveling extensively around the United States and the world, including to Greece, Turkey, Ireland, and Australia. For many years, she also traveled to Oregon to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with her daughter’s family there. She adored all of her grandchildren: Caitlin, Theresa, Elizabeth, Kimberleigh, Sarah, Emily, Danielle, and Tyler. She was present at every graduation and special family moment that she was able to get to. In addition to her devotion to her family, Helga was active in her community, volunteering for many years at Cottage Hospital where she would also knit hats to be given to the newborn babies there.
Helga remained in the Santa Barbara home that she loved until shortly before her passing, and stayed active and present for her friends and family. Helga’s life will be celebrated at San Roque Catholic Church on October 26th at 10:30 am, followed by a burial service at Goleta Cemetery and a lunch reception at Mulligan’s Restaurant at the community golf course. In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of Helga’s memory would be appreciated.
Please let us know if you plan to join us for the reception by texting Steven Fox at (805) 403-7882.