CAYUGA—There aren’t many who knew Helen Spears during her 84 years of life and didn’t walk away with a smile and a warm feeling in their heart.
Beloved for her many years as a local music teacher at Haldimand-area schools, like Cayuga’s JL Mitchener Public School, and equally beloved for her many years of volunteering alongside her late husband Clayton Spears with the Fisherville Lions Club, Helen leaves behind a legacy of brightness, warmth, and music.
The Spears first moved to Fisherville in 1965. Clayt was in banking at the time, while Helen taught in Cayuga.
The pair later moved to Cayuga, opening up Twin Oaks, a combination motel and restauran. There Helen was known for her early morning baking sessions, leaving an array of sweet treats for restaurant patrons before heading off to teach for the day.
The pair would also work side by side for many years at the Cayuga Speedway, where Helen manned the onsite concession stand. She also often served as a tour bus escort while Clayt worked as a driver for a Dunnville-based coach line.
But it was her role as a teacher that has cemented her place in the hearts of so many in the community. Following her passing on Sunday, October 5, 2025, several of Helen’s former students took to social media to pay tribute to their favourite teacher.
“Her belief in our potential definitely helped us soar higher,” said Brenda Cooper Garlow.
“Best teacher ever! RIP!” added Craig Marshall.
Eleanor Haight praised Spears for how much she cared for all of her students, a common sentiment from all those who called Spears a teacher.
Trisha Jury recalled having Spears as her music teacher from Grades 6-8.
“My fondest memory of her was in Grade 7 or 8,” said Jury. “She was giving us Christmas music to sing, and she had put her own spin on some of the songs.… I still to this day sing them!”
She also recalled Spears’ musical version of The Lord’s Prayer, set to a composition of her own making.
“That is the biggest song that always makes me think of her! Very loved she was,” said Jury. Spears had a warm moment with Jury’s daughter Alicia as well, telling her at a Cayuga Day singing contest that she could see her winning many competitions with a bit of practice. “I appreciated Helen’s kind words both in school and after school was out. She was just a genuine, real, wonderful lady.”
Trevor Dell added, “She was such a great teacher and role model. I will never forget all the times I had to sit beside her on the piano bench – not because I was goofing off of course, but because she just wanted me to sit beside her. I think I still have the Elvis project I did in Grade 8 for her.”
Long-time friends Jillian Marshall Morison and Warren Burger shared their memories of Helen.
“Helen was special,” said Morison. “She was kind and giving. My husband Fred and I became close friends with Helen and Clayton about 15 years ago. We talked about many things: family, friendship, local happenings, world news, their much-loved community organizations, baking, and more. I regret that we did not get more years to spend with them as close and trusted friends.”
Burger added, “Helen had this reputation of being a good teacher. She was well known not only for her ability to teach music, but also, she had a wonderful singing voice. People enjoyed when she had an opportunity to demonstrate that.”
Burger noted that Spears had “all the wonderful qualities you anticipate and expect in a teacher.”
He heaped praise on Spears for standing by her husband’s side through life, adding, “It’s somewhat ironic or appropriate that only a few weeks after her dear husband departed, she’s following right behind.”
He said that Spears accomplished all of the above while remaining a committed mother to her son, Scott, and maintaining a bustling role as a community volunteer.
She will be sadly missed by the members of the Fisherville Lions Club, all of whom looked forward to their annual phone call on their birthdays from Helen, and the personalized renditions of the birthday song she would serenade them with.
“She was very kind and caring about things that mattered, about people and the impact she could have on the community, and she seemed to have fun doing it,” said Burger. “Whenever you saw Helen, she was always upbeat, she had that distinct smile and laughter of hers.”
He said that infectious laughter made a big difference as the Lions Club worked on various community projects over the years.
“She had the ability to make you feel like you were willing to do this,” he said. “In my view, she never expected anything in return.”
A celebration of life for Helen will be held at the Fisherville District Lions Community Centre on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 12-4 p.m.
