Resident of Royal Oaks, CA

Helen Janet Englesberg, known as Pickel to family and friends, passed away peacefully on September 9, 2024, after nine months of treatment for late-stage lung cancer.

Helen was born on May 7, 1957 in Glen Cove, NYtoparents Beulah Waskow Englesberg and Ellis Englesberg. The youngest of three siblings, she grew up in Pittsburgh, PA before moving to Santa Barbara, CA where she graduated high school. She graduated with a B.A. in Biology from University of California Santa Cruz in 1991.

Helen worked most of her career at the UCSC Arboretum, where she propagated plants for over 30 years. Since retiring in 2018, she poured her energy into Pickelberry Farm, her own home-grown nursery of plants for pollinators, which she disseminated in and around the Santa Cruz area. She also volunteered with various organizations such as the Esperanza Farm in Watsonville, Santa Cruz Shakespeare Garden, and the Aromas Harvest Fair.

Helen was loved by many. She had a gentle, calm and loving presence, a generous spirit, and a joyful attitude towards life. She nurtured plants, people, and cats alike, leaving behind a beautiful community of friends and family who have been touched by her spirit.

She is survived by her siblings Paul and Barbara Englesberg; sister-in law Lucy Morse; stepmother Gail Embree; nieces and nephews Anna and Clara Hendricks, Colin and Amy Englesberg, as well as their children. She also leaves behind sisters-in-law Debra, Angie, and Juliette and their children. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Wayne Coleman, her parents, and her brother-in-law Newell Hendricks.

The family wants to thank Mik Massey for his loving care for Helen over the last few months, as well as Hospice of Santa Cruz County, caretakers from Care from the Heart, the oncology team at Sutter Health, and all of Helen's dear friends for their visits and support.

Please join us for a celebration of life at 2 pm on October 12, at Aromas Grange, 361 Rose Ave, Aromas, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an organization Helen supported such as Aromas Harvest Fair, Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Xerces Society, World Central Kitchen, Nature Conservancy, or Esperanza Farm.