Helen Meilin Derechin, who was adopted from China, was born in Changzhou, China, in the month of May in the year 1996. In June of 1997, she had the opportunity to become a member of her forever family. She passed away due to natural causes in January of 2024. Helen grew up in Minneapolis, where both the Jewish and Chinese communities welcomed and adored her.
Helen received the highest honors in biology from Augsburg University, where she graduated with a degree. She was a lifelong student at St. Paul Academy (SPA). Helen went on to pursue a career in the medical field, where she worked as a scientist in the field of medical technology.
She had a dream of working with children in the medical field. Helen’s favorite activities included singing, baking, going on hikes, working as a nanny, being a big sister, and spending time with Ty, who she considered to be the best dog in the entire world. Helen enjoyed spending time with her family, tasting spicy food, garlic, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, traveling to Costa Rica, decorating her home, and going to restaurants such as Kim’s with her friends and Raku with her sister.
Helen was an enormous nerd who was extremely enthusiastic about everything related to musicals and science. She was also very passionate about adoptee voices and social justice. Helen was an ardent supporter of her mental and physical health, and she confronted the challenges she faced with the courage and strength she brought to the table. In her own words, Helen said, “Taking care of children made my heart feel warm.” As a result, I developed a passion for interacting with children who were comparable to myself.
Her first love, her younger sister Leora, was the source of inspiration for Helen’s passion for providing care for children. It was a significant event in her life that she adopted her sister. Helen took solace in the knowledge that she was the only person who could console Leora when she joined her forever family in Changsha, China, in the year 2003.
When she was a teenager, she went on a trip with Red Thread Charities to Hangzhou, China, where she had the opportunity to interact with orphans. This experience only served to strengthen her desire to provide care for children.
Additional significant events that have had a significant impact on Helen’s life include her participation in musical theater at SPA, E3, and Children’s Theater Company, as well as her performance of Chinese dance at CAAM-CDT. Additionally, Helen enjoyed going on backpacking trips across Wyoming and Montana, culminating in a trip to the Arctic Circle with Camp Widjiwagan that lasted for a total of six weeks.
A grandfather named William Derechin and a grandfather named George Rothweiler both passed away before him. Survived by his parents, Beatrice Rothweiler and Neil Derechin; his sister, Leora Derechin; his “second parents,” Aunt Laurie Derechin and Uncle Josep Maria Bonsoms Delmar; his grandmothers, Haddie Derechin and Therese Rothweiler; and a large number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and devoted friends. Being able to love Helen for the past 26 years is something for which we are eternally grateful.
Please extend your heartfelt gratitude to all of Helen’s educators, mentors, and caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to be made to the Children’s Theater Company in Minneapolis, organizations that assist children who are in need, Camp Widjiwagan, CAAM-CDT, or the preference of the donor. Helen’s memory should be a source of blessing. “SHIVA” Thursday, February 1st, at seven o’clock in the evening, in the community room located at 2221 Youngman Avenue in St. Paul. 1:00 p.m., Memorial Service and Celebration of Life The burial will take place on Thursday, February 15th, at the Lakewood Cemetery Chapel, which is located at 3600 Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. For more information, including livestreaming and updates, please visit the website of Hodroff-Epstein.
