A real estate career that lasted 55 years

Helen Featherstone has seen a lot of changes

By Mark Ribble

WHEATLEY — When Helen Featherstone entered the real estate business in 1966, she didn’t imagine that she’d still be selling real estate into 2021, but she fell in love with a business that she made her whole life.

She and her husband Gary Sr., were operating the Featherstone Shell station in downtown Wheatley, with three young children in tow, when Helen got the idea to go into real estate.

She joined A.M. Wolbers Real Estate in Leamington and began learning the craft of buying and selling homes.

Soon, she got her broker’s license and when the owner of the company died unexpectedly, Helen was able to purchase the business and soon changed the name to H. Featherstone Realty.

Over those early years, the ups and downs of the real estate business were challenging, but she did well and soon her husband joined her in business in 1976.

Their son Gary Jr., fresh out of high school, joined the firm in 1979, making it truly a family business.

With that, they developed that unique red sign that is visible from every roadway.

“Everyone knew me as the girl with the red sign,” Helen said last week from her Wheatley home. “We had to spray them to keep them from fading.”

She’s witnessed many changes over the years and watched markets go up and down, along with interest rates.

Long-time area realtor, Helen Featherstone, is retiring on May 4.

The current market is a crazy one, although history tells Helen that it will eventually calm down a bit.

After 55 great years in the business, Helen is retiring on May 4, but she has no regrets.

“I’ve loved every minute of it,” she says.

About two years ago, Helen sold the business to Camille and Patty Elters, who had worked for the company for many years.

She’s confident that she’s left the business in very capable hands.

“Camille and Patty bought the business and I’m happy they took it over,” she said.

At the time of the sale, Gary Jr. had recently passed away and Helen was going through some health battles of her own, so she was happy to have someone she could trust, take over the business.

Now, it’s on to retirement, creating spare time in her life that she didn’t have before.

With all of the new spare time, she’s still not sure how she’s going to fill her days.

“I used to love to golf, but there would always be a call from a client in the middle of the round,” she said.

As much as she loves golf, her clients came first, so she gave up the golf clubs a few years ago.

“It was a seven-day-aweek job, but I loved it,” she said.

She can now spend extra time with her five remaining grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

“I hate to give it up, but this girl is retiring,” she added.

Meanwhile, her husband Gary Sr., continues to work for H. Featherstone Realty and says he’s not contemplating any retirement at this time, but that’s okay with Helen.

“It’s nice to still have a connection to it,” she said.