The Ontario Historical Society remembers long-time OHS member, donor, and provincial heritage advocate, Helen Ann Juhola (1936–2025).
For decades, Helen and her husband Aarne (1935–2023) acted as tireless and dedicated volunteers, donating their time and expertise to the preservation and promotion of Ontario’s history. Helen relished a good fight, generously sharing her insights, wit, and wisdom with the OHS in countless struggles for Ontario’s built and natural heritage.
Helen’s passion was advocating for our natural environment, which is why she was a supporter of the OHS and its Cemetery Defence Program. She understood that Ontario’s cemeteries were vitally important ecological assets as well as heritage sites. In August 2022, Helen donated her unique collection of natural heritage books to the OHS Library, including some books she co-authored for the Toronto Field Naturalists.
Thank you so much Helen, for your decades of work to increase the public knowledge and appreciation of our green spaces and our heritage assets. The OHS also thanks you and Aarne for your incredibly generous bequest. Your legacy as environmental and heritage preservation advocates will live on through this gift and the many other bequests made by your estate.
This tribute was originally published in the OHS Bulletin, Fall 2026, page 18.