A LEGACY OF LOVE
Remembering extraordinary educator Helen Egbert
Helen Egbert, known as Mrs. Stretch for a majority of her 35year career as a teacher and principal for Edmonton Public Schools, led the way in motivating students, caring for the downtrodden and assembling exceptional teams of educators to help students reach for their dreams.
“She knew when to be hands-on and when to be hands-off,” said Egbert’s daughter, Marnie Stretch. “She really brought out the best in people in a real special way. She was one of those leaders where you want to do your best for them.”
One former student credits Egbert with saving her life. The student, who does not want to be named, was contemplating suicide in grade six before she found the support she needed from Egbert.
“You helped me believe that I was worth loving, worth living, worth succeeding,” the student wrote in a thank-you letter to Egbert. “You were there when I needed someone to talk to. You were there when I needed love and guidance. You made me feel special in a way that I never knew I could, until I met you.”
Egbert’s nurturing qualities extended well beyond the classrooms and schoolyards of Rutherford, Forest Heights, Hardisty and King Edward, where she taught thousands of students between 1958 and 1975.
Her compassion for people, especially those in dire need of support, became more evident after she gained a master’s degree in education from the University of Alberta in 1969 and took on leadership roles as assistant principal at JA Fife in 1975. She was moved into the principal’s office in 1981, working in that capacity at Bannerman and Caernarvon schools until 1991.
Barbara Cragg, who was hired by Egbert in 1982 to teach at Bannerman, fondly remembers how Egbert welcomed in stray cats as pets for the school and allowed them to freely roam the hallways.
Later on, Cragg learned that Egbert had extended her love to a hardworking school custodian from Yugoslavia.
“Helen had been quietly visiting one of the cleaning staff from our Bannerman days,” Cragg recalled. “This lady was ill with Alzheimer’s, (with) few family and friends visiting.
“So it was Helen who went regularly. Helen who stepped up to support and keep the faith. She walked her talk always.”
Egbert was born Helen Menduk in a small two-bedroom log house in the hamlet of Paddockwood, Sask. on June 18, 1938. She was the youngest of three children raised by Ukrainian-speaking parents, who immigrated to Canada in the early 1900s.
Speaking at her sister Edna’s funeral a few years ago, Egbert said her parents struggled to make ends meet, but always strove to provide a better life for their children.
“Edna often remarked how lucky we were to have such wonderful parents who, during those tough times, provided us not only with the basic necessities of life, but instilled in us honesty, determination and a strong work ethic,” she said.
The family eventually settled in Owlseye, Alta., about 200 kilometres northeast of St. Paul. Egbert began her studies at the U of A, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1966, while teaching at Rutherford and Forest Heights.
It was around this time that she met and married her first husband, Gary Stretch, and had three children.
Thousands of students knew Egbert as Mrs. Stretch. But after a divorce in the mid-1970s, Egbert joined her recently single friends and began looking for love in all the right places.
Gary Egbert met and danced with Helen at a singles dance on Valentine’s Day and didn’t hesitate to drive her home afterwards. The couple married in 1981.
Together they built a house in St. Albert, joining their two families from previous marriages.
Egbert retired in 1993, after working as a consultant for two years. In retirement, she cherished time spent with her 13 grandchildren.
“When they would come (to visit), she would make waffles,” Stretch explained. “That was the big deal at her house. The grandkids got into this thing where they were having contests to see who held the record for eating the most of grandma’s waffles.”
Egbert, who died of cancer on May 31 at the age of 77, had the same love for her colleagues as she had for her family. It didn’t matter who you were, she cared for everyone.
“I came to this new school posting during a crisis period in my own life,” Cragg said of starting over as a teacher at Bannerman in 1982. “My marriage was dissolving and the district project I had been a part of was coming to an abrupt end. I was lost and adrift.
“There was Helen, arms open, with a hug and smile and a hot coffee,” Cragg continued. “She heard my sorry tale, assured me that I was exactly where I needed to be and welcomed me to my new school home.
“To be honest, Helen really ran the school on love and we all felt so fortunate to have her as our leader. She taught us all by example.”
She knew when to be hands-on and when to be hands-off. … She really brought out the best in people in a real special way.