Isabel Gertrudis Hellberg

It is with great sadness that we announce that Isabel Hellberg (nee Dumenieux), died peacefully in her sleep on October 13th 2026, at the age of 87.

Born in Spain, and later in Germany where she grew up, Isabel became a highly talented competitive youth fencer and swimmer, winning many local and national competitions. She continued her athletic career after moving to Canada in 1959, joining the Harmony Fencing Club and continuing to compete for many years along with her sister and brother-in-law Pacita and Gerry Wiedel (deceased).

Isabel also was a talented engineer, working as a lab technician in Germany, and then later working for Bell Canada as an engineering clerk designing the telephone cabling for much of Toronto’s east end in Scarborough.

She developed a love of Muskoka in the early ‘60s when she bought a property on Butterfly Lake in Glen Orchard where she built her first cottage with former husband Achim (Celine). Later, she built two more in the area, first on the opposite side of the late, then along Whites Road. In 1990, she retired to Glen Orchard to live full time until 2013, when she moved to Bracebridge.

During her time in Muskoka, she became an avid tennis player, serving as the President of the Bracebridge Tennis Club, and became an active member of CFUW Muskoka. A lifelong love of playing cards led to her friends introducing her to the game of Bridge. The game appealed to her competitive nature and she took to the game like a fish to water, participating in many competitions with her friends.

The friendships she made in Muskoka became an important part of her later life, spending a significant amount of her time with them doing various activities. A tight knit group, they would regularly get together to play cards, quilt, play tennis, and travel together.

Isabel leaves behind her daughter, Natasha (Sasha) Hellberg, her grandson Alex, her sister Pacita Wiedel, extended family, and the many dear friends she made throughout her life.

She will be remembered for her intelligence, independence, competitive spirit, and the friendships and community she built around her. She will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 17th, 2026, between 2-4pm at Reynolds Funeral Home, 1 Mary Street, Bracebridge, Ontario.