Helen Orchen

Helen Molly Orchen (née Zimmer), beloved wife of George Orchen (deceased); loving daughter of the late Zlata and Jacob Zimmer; dear sister of Martha Gurney, OBM (Simon, OBM); cherished aunt of Jackie Goldman (Jim, OBM); devoted mother of Jeffrey (Susan) Orchen of Arizona, Laurie (Bert) Engel, and Rob (Pam) Orchen; cherished grandmother of Jared Orchen of blessed memory, Jenna (Jared) Galvin, Lindsay Engel, and Brooke (Ty) Furino; and loving great-grandmother of Jordana, Jace, Joey B., and Laney.

Helen “Great” Orchen was truly the life of the party. Somewhere, it was always 5 o’clock, and Helen made sure everyone knew it — often with vodka ready to go. Her greatest joy in life was becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother. She proudly said she had waited her entire life to be called “Great,” and great she truly was.

Helen was famous for her spaghetti and beloved cinnamon cake, recipes cherished for generations by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her cinnamon cake became so legendary that she eventually gave lessons on how to make it.

She loved to travel and shared many wonderful adventures with her children and grandchildren. On those trips, tennis shoes were essential because Helen was always the fastest walker — if you couldn’t keep up, you were left behind. She never passed up an opportunity for ice cream and delighted in spoiling the people she loved most.

Helen lived a long and adventurous life filled with love, laughter, strong opinions, and doing things her way. She was never afraid to speak her mind, and she would certainly let you know when you were wrong — whether you agreed or not.

Although she is deeply missed, Helen is now reunited with her beloved husband George and her cherished grandson Jared. Together, they are surely celebrating her fabulous life.

Here’s to 97 GREAT years and to continuing to cherish the many memories she created along the way.

Services will be held Thursday, May 21, at 9:30 a.m. at Zion Memorial Park Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the Village Clubhouse, 26000 Village Place, Beachwood (entrance off George Zeiger Dr.) immediately after until 4:00 pm on Thursday.

Family suggests contributions to Jared Orchen B’nai Mitzvah Fund C/O Solon Chabad, 5570 Harper Road, Solon, OH 44139 solonchabad.com or Traditions Hospice