Helen R. Stuehler
Helen Ruth Stuehler, a lifelong resident of Harding Township, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 12, 2024, at the age of 83, surrounded by the love of her family.
She is survived by her two nieces, Beth Stuehler Krawczuk and her husband Stephen, Rebecca Stuehler and her partner Michael; a nephew, Matthew Stuehler and his wife Treacy Kiley; along with five cherished great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Helen was predeceased by her brother, David Stuehler, and sister-in-law, Angela Stuehler (nee Pulsinelle). Helen was born in Newark, NJ on March 16, 1941 to the late Carl Max and Jessie Helena Stuehler (nee Jansen). The family moved to Harding Township in 1945 where she and her brother David were raised on Mount Kemble Lake. Helen was brilliant, extremely creative, with a profound connection to nature.
Helen began her academic journey at NYU with an interest in pre-med, but graduated with a BA in English. While at NYU Helen had a distinguished fencing career, winning many awards and championships.
Post-graduation, Helen resided in Manhattan, combining her love for science and writing, she worked as a Lab Technician and Technical writer at The Rockefeller University.
Soon Helen moved closer to home and worked for the West Indies Laboratory and Department of Earth Sciences at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ where she was a technical writer and contributor to marine biology research.
Coming from a very artistic family, Helen’s love for art continued to grow and she sought out more education studying art at a university in Mexico and County College of Morris. Brief employment at The New School and Cooper Union in NYC fueled her talents.
Helen was a gifted, whimsical, and prolific artist throughout her life. Her creativity was projected through many mediums, such as collages, oil painting, and clothing design. She was particularly passionate about transforming recycled materials into innovative art pieces.
She was blessed with a life that afforded her to travel extensively and explore the world. An incredible example of her adventurous spirit was when she and her mother went canoeing down the coast from NJ to Hollywood Florida camping under the canoe on the beach many nights. According to the Carteret County News-Times of Beaufort NC they also took some inland waterways and occasionally hitched a ride on the back of yachts.
Helen cared deeply about the environment and was a strong supporter of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. She loved nature and the Great Swamp was a special place to her ever since she was a girl.
Although Helen will be deeply missed, her warmth, and love will always be remembered by her family and friends. May she Rest in Peace.
Funeral services will be held privately for the family at Helen’s request.
Charitable contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to the Great Swamp Watershed Association, P.O. Box 300, New Vernon, NJ 07976.
