PLANT CITY, Fla. — Helen Parke, a name synonymous with world-class strawberries in the Tampa Bay area, has died at the age of 100, according to her granddaughter.
Generations of families remember buying Parkesdale strawberries at the Florida Strawberry Festival, a tradition that became a staple of local culture. Helen was affectionately known as Mom, Grandma, and Mrs. Helen, and until just a few years ago, she could often be found working at the Parkesdale greenhouses in Plant City.
Helen and her husband moved from Pennsylvania to Florida in 1956, where they built a business and reputation that would endure for decades.
Family members said Helen’s life and work left a lasting legacy for her community, one that will be remembered forever.
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