Helen L. Detrick

Born December 15, 1944, in Columbus to Frederick Webster Legg and Lorene Steele Legg, Helen grew up in Upper Arlington and graduated with the Upper Arlington High School Class of 1963.

Helen marched to the beat of her own drummer. She was curious, independent, and determined to chart her own course in life and work.

After earning her Bachelor of Social Work from The Ohio State University, she began her career as an intake social worker at the Children’s Mental Health Center and volunteered with Huckleberry House and the Suicide Prevention Line, providing calm and compassion to those in crisis.

Helen later made a bold move into the corporate world, joining Xerox Corporation, Honeywell Information Systems, and Digital Equipment Corporation. She thrived in an era when few women held such roles and earned her company’s top sales award seven years in a row. Her combination of intellect, drive, and humor made her both respected and memorable.

After two decades in the private sector, Helen devoted 15 years to public service as Board Secretary for the State of Ohio Unemployment Compensation Review Commission, where she was known for her discipline, fairness, and professionalism.

She also took part in the Columbus Area Leadership Program, studied art at the Columbus College of Art and Design, and proudly earned her private pilot’s license in 1968—a symbol of her lifelong curiosity and sense of adventure.

Friends remember Helen for her warmth, wit, and loyalty. She showed up for the people she cared about—driving friends to work when they needed help, sharing her love of animals (including the pet sheep she adored and for whom she lovingly renovated her barn), and mowing paths through her property so friends and their dogs could enjoy long walks together. She could be exacting at times, but she gave her absolute best to everything she cared about and expected the same of others.

While Helen loved exploring the world, she was happiest at the home she shared with her husband of 38 years, John Samuel Detrick. Together they built a welcoming home for family and friends, even opening their doors as a bed and breakfast for several years. Helen was a talented cook with several signature dishes—especially loved by her niece Caroline, who will forever recreate them in her honor.

Helen loved nature, animals, art, and the people who filled her life. No bond was greater than the one she shared with her identical twin sister, Ruth. The two were inseparable—mischievous, funny, and steadfast companions through every season of life.

Helen Detrick lived fully, worked hard, and left her mark through creativity, generosity, independence, and a life well examined. Forever unique and determined.

Helen is survived by her twin sister Ruth Legg Krabach; niece Caroline Krabach Ferrari (William), and great-niece Nico Olivia, of Alexandria, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband John, her sister Millicent “Mitzi” Jean Krebs, and her parents.

A gathering to celebrate Helen’s life will be held at Schoedinger Dublin on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In place of flowers, donations may be made to the Upper Arlington Historical Society or the Columbus Humane Society.