girl scouts of the colonial coastHelen Kattwinkel spent decades as a Girl Scout volunteer. She started her volunteer career in 1964 as a leader overseas in Turkey and went on to serve in many roles. When she and her husband, Frank, and their six children settled in Virginia Beach in the 1970s, she immediately became involved with the Greater Tidewater Girl Scout Council - first as a troop leader and then as a trainer, working alongside master trainer and good friend Barbara Mettler. Helen’s ability to organize and lead landed her in the role of Service Unit Cookie Chair, overseeing nearly 30 troops. Later, she became a Virginia Beach Cookie Coordinator and managed an area-wide Cookie Cupboard, opening her house for cookie storage during the cookie season. She did this for more than 20 years! An article on the “Cookie Lady” appeared in The Virginian Pilot’s Beacon publication.
Helen’s talent as a trainer was known council-wide. She was the first Girl Scout trainer of the newly released older girl program, which included the Gold Award release, in 1980. She attended a regional training and then took on the responsibility of training leaders and other trainers in Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast (GSCCC). Helen also helped start the GSCCC Gold Award Committee. She spent more than four decades giving leadership and guidance to GSCCC’s Gold Award Committee. “Earning the Gold Award is hard work,” Helen said. “Girls come with great ideas but don’t always know the depth of the work it takes. It’s our job to help them through the process. It’s rewarding to see them complete their projects and the confidence they have gained along the way.”
Helen attended many Girl Scout National Conventions, including the 2002 convention in Long Beach, California where she served as a National Council Delegate. She was recognized with the highest national awards bestowed upon an adult, the Thanks Badge I and II, and she also received the Council’s highest adult award, the Dorothy Barber Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
In 2016, as part of the Council’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of the highest award in Girl Scouting, a reception was held in Helen’s honor at Wycliffe Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach. Girl Scout friends gathered to pay tribute to her. A plaque was presented to her and the Helen Kattwinkel Lifetime Membership Award soon followed, an award that is given out annually by GSCCC to a Gold Award Girl Scout.
In addition to her volunteer time at Girl Scouts, she was very active with Wycliffe Presbyterian Church, the Virginia Beach Infant Stimulation program, and participated in hand bell choirs.
Helen will be greatly missed. The sparkle in her eyes, her sense of humor, and her tireless dedication—especially when it came to helping girls.
A memorial service to be announced at a later date. Those who wish to send cards or condolences to the family, may send them to Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, 912 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, Virginia, 23322 and the council will forward to the family.
