K. Helen Fisher

On Sunday, March 23, 2025, we bade farewell to our sister, aunt, friend and colleague, Kate “Helen” Fisher, the Grape Doctor. She passed away at home in the minutes before dawn with her nephew Michael and his wife Bobbi at her side. Helen was born in Healing, UK on March 14, 1948 to Henry and Kate (Gait) Fisher. Within a year, the family relocated to Canada where dad worked for the Ontario Paper Company, first in Baie Comeau, QC and later in Thorold, Ontario

Helen grew up in St. Catharines, attended Havergal College in Toronto and then proceeded to University of Guelph where she studied horticulture, achieving first her B.Sc. (Agr.) in 1970 and an M.Sc. in 1973 on the effect of thinning on DeChaunac hybrid grapes. Post graduation, Helen worked in Southwestern Ontario in Essex and Kent County first for the Wine Council as a field person for the new grape trials and then as the fruit extension specialist with the Ontario Department of Agriculture and Food, a position she held for 3 years. Looking for a new adventure, she moved west to Peace River, Alberta to be a lecturer at Fairview Agricultural and Technical College until her mother passed away in 1978 in St. Catharines. Helen then finally put down roots as the grape researcher at the Horticultural Research Institute of Ontario in Vineland. While working full time, she pursued a Ph.D. part time at Cornell University, attending classes in Ithaca and conducting her research in Niagara. She graduated in 1988 with the thickest thesis book you have ever seen.

Helen had a front row seat on the transition of the Ontario grape industry from labrusca to vinifera grapes in the 1980’s. She released two grape varieties: Vanessa, a semi-seedless table grape, and Vivant, a white wine grape. She continued her work in Vineland when HRIO was divested to the University of Guelph in 1996 as an associate professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, although her tendency to do research without publishing papers put her at odds with the tenure track of university administration. She saw more value in doing field research and helping her growers, than in publishing papers. She was happier in the bottom of a soil pit, explaining the different horizons, or striding through a vineyard looking at vines than she ever was doing paperwork. Speaking of paperwork, Helen’s office was legendary – mountains of paper on every surface (her vertical filing system), but she could locate anything she wanted within minutes. In the winter months, she could often be found behind those stacks, munching on kohlrabi, and drinking cold, burnt coffee. She maintained this filing system in her home office when she retired; the surfaces were fewer, the mountains were higher. While she officially retired from the University of Guelph in 2009, Helen remained very active in viticulture research. In her final weeks she was still directing her stalwart assistant, Brayden Lafleur, on data entry and pruning the research plots.

Helen taught courses at University of Guelph and was also a sessional lecturer in the Oenology and Viticulture Technician program at Niagara College from its inception. She was a born teacher who was invested in every student. While a tough task master, Helen’s joy of knowledge was contagious and inspired her many students. Who else could make “dirt” interesting?

Helen was very committed to the viticulture community. She applied her vast experience and knowledge to the Ontario Grape and Wine Research technical committee, providing critical reviews of research proposals. She was a member of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture and a reviewer for the journal. She was a regular attendee of meetings of Vitinord, visiting cold climate viticulture regions in many parts of the world. She did innumerable presentations across Canada and around the world in her travels. Her contributions to viticulture were formally recognized by the industry and academia as she received the Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Award of Merit in 2009, the American Society of Enology and Viticulture Eastern Section’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and

the VQA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. As a testament to the impact she had on the grape and wine industry, Jennifer Wilhelm included a chapter on Helen in her book, “Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario's Grape & Wine Industry”.

Helen was a true renaissance woman. She was an accomplished musician, playing piano and singing in the church choir for many years. She was the “jam lady”, contributing the fruits of her labour each year to St. George’s church, and a prolific pie baker. She was an avid newspaper reader, a crossword aficionado, and a collector of books on a range of topics. She could talk on almost any topic, especially if accompanied by a warm Labatt’s 50. She loved to be surrounded by plants, indoors and out, and they thrived under her care: hydrangeas, rhododendrons, roses, and an indoor jungle. She regularly joined “the boys” for a beverage at the Beacon and other watering holes. Helen was a feminist without the bra-burning: as a female pioneer breaking gender barriers, her work in a male-dominated field was an inspiration to many young women pursuing careers in agriculture. She never worried about convention or expectations, her work ethic was legendary and her passion for the grape industry was boundless. As one former colleague put it, she was feisty; if something needed to be done, she’d do it when others couldn’t or wouldn’t. Helen traveled the globe extensively, and her home is a showcase of mementos and gifts from the places she visited and the friends she made. However, when asked where her favourite place in the world was, her immediate response was “right here in Niagara”.

Helen was a devoted companion to her beloved partner, Bill “Billy” Trelford (predeceased, 2018). They found each other later in life but made up for it with their adventures together. She was his tireless support in his long illness and his passing left a void in Helen’s heart. Each year after his passing, her memorial notice in the newspaper was a letter to “Mr. Bill”, providing him with an update of the year’s weather, current events and family activities.

Helen’s nephew Michael and his wife Bobbi held a special place in her heart. They were always there to help her with whatever needed doing around the house, providing support through Billy’s post-stroke and associated health challenges, driving her to the many appointments after her cancer diagnosis, and they were the ones to provide her with care in her final days, convincing her to have “just one more bite”, and being there to share quiet moments. Helen was never one to speak of love, but without words their patience and love for each other were palpable.

Helen is survived by her brother John (Sharon), sister Margaret (Paul) and nephews Eric (Maria), Michael (Bobbi), Craig (Keiko) and niece Susanna (Ryan) who will always remember their Crazy Aunt Helen (CAH); great nephews and nieces – Evan, Ada, Kai, James, Thomas and Aitana; and many relatives in England. Predeceased by her partner Bill Trelford, sister Judith, her parents and her sister-in-law Beth. Special thanks to her medical support team: Dr. Leveque, Dr. Khan and caring nurses (Razina and Reymond) and PSWs (Gina and Nicole) for being there for her.

Helen was treasured by her family, colleagues, the grape growers, her students, and her many friends. She wasn’t afraid to call a spade a spade and her honesty and down to earth attitude (right down to her Birkenstocks) were valued by everyone she met. She was one of a kind and will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

You are invited to join us at St. George's Anglican Church, 83 Church St., St. Catharines on Tuesday, April 8th at 10:00 am for visitation followed by a Eucharist service at 11:00 am to celebrate Helen's life. Cremation has

taken place as Helen wished. A private interment will take place after the church service. All are invited to a reception from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion, 57 Lakeport Road, St Catharines.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory may be made to the Walker Family Cancer Centre, or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hulse & English Funeral Home, 75 Church Street, St Catharines. The Service will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/Nh8JCwmkMEg .