It is with profound sadness that the family of Helen Vari (née Fabinyi)
announces her passing on March 16, 2023. Helen passed away peacefully at
the age of 91 at her home in Toronto, surrounded by her loving family. Helen
is predeceased by her husband, George W. Vari; and her younger brother,
Peter Fabinyi. She is survived by her youngest brother, Paul Fabinyi; her
two ‘daughters’ Agnes Hilkene and Victoria De Luca; and their husbands,
Christopher Hilkene and Jason De Luca. She was beloved Oma to Alexandra
Hilkene, Anna-Sophia De Luca and Isabella Georgina De Luca. Helen is also
missed by family and friends abroad: the Fabinyi family in Hungary, the Sheely
family in the U.S.A. and many dear friends around the world.
Born in Iglo, Helen lived in Hungary until moving to Montreal, Canada in the
early 1960s where she married the love of her life, George. Helen and George
worked side-by-side, establishing a very successful international real estate
development and construction company that operated on five continents. In
1984, they created the George and Helen Vari Foundation to support their
philanthropic goals.
Helen served as the President of the World Monuments Fund, France, where
she oversaw the restoration of the Dome of the Hôtel des Invalides in 1989. It
was the largest-ever restoration of a historic building prior to the Sistine Chapel
at the Vatican. In 2001, the George and Helen Vari Foundation donated 6,000
Canadian Sugar Maple trees to restore the damage sustained to the forests
at the Bois de Boulogne, Paris and to the Château de Versailles. Because of
those efforts, they were named the Ontario Forest and the Canadian Forest,
respectively. The Vari Foundation also contributed to the restoration of the
Fountain of Hope and the renewed forecourt at Rideau Hall, the Governor
General’s official residence in Ottawa, Canada.
As Honorary Colonel of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, Helen was a staunch
supporter of Canada’s active military personnel, as well as its veterans. She
contributed to a number of initiatives to celebrate the important history of the
Toronto Scottish Regiment and fondly called it “The best Regiment in the
world.” She was the lead donor in building the Visitor Education Centre and
the George Vari Gate, entrance to the Vimy Foundation Centennial Park at the
Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. She was affectionately known as
the ‘Empress of Vimy.’ The Canadian Army presented Helen with
The Commander Canadian Army Commendation and the Canadian
Military awarded her with the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation.
In 2016, Helen received the Order of Canada for her exceptional record
of philanthropy and volunteer engagement. The French Government also
awarded her with the Ordre National du Mérite and made her a Chevalier
de la Légion d’Honneur for her ongoing efforts to foster France-Canada
relations. In 2021, she was elevated to Grand Officier de La Légion
d’Honneur, making her one of only four individuals and the only
woman in North America to hold the office.
Helen and George’s contribution to York University’s main entrance and
teaching facilities was the largest private donation to a Canadian University
at the time. This led to the building being named Vari Hall in their honour
in 1992. In addition to their significant gift to The George Vari Engineering
& Computing Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly
Ryerson University), Helen continued to support students through
numerous scholarships and bursaries. She adored “her students” and
would often note the phrases, “We came to Canada with nothing; Canada
gave us everything” and “You can do it!” in her convocation addresses.
Her relentless focus on helping students through numerous universities
has benefited thousands of young people in Ontario and beyond.
For her steadfast support, Helen received honorary doctorates from six
Universities: York University, Victoria University at the University of
Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University),
Ontario Tech University, St. Francis Xavier University and Nipissing
University.
The family remembers Helen as a proud Canadian and a tireless champion
of education. She was a strong, warm, kind and funny individual, with a lust
for life. She was happiest when surrounded by family and friends and could
feel the love around her. She particularly loved spending time at the farm in
Cobourg for holidays, the annual garden party in August, or simply going
for strolls at her cherished property with family and friends.
Helen Vari
CM, GOLH, OONM, LLD, LHD