Helen's Hope

Down to Essex on Thursday this week, with my brother Adrian, for another family funeral. Helen was only 54, and whilst on holiday in Kent with her husband Chris, she suddenly had a massive stroke and died very quickly. She was an amazing woman, always so full of life and joy. Everyone spoke of her laughter, and her smiling face

She and Chris had been married over 25 years - they had no children of their own - but she was a nursery nurse, and Chris is very committed to Scouting. He works at a mental health resource centre. Both totally committed to loving and caring for others. My last conversation with her was at another funeral [pre covid] and she said "I hope when it is my funeral, the preacher gives people hope" 

Well, thank you, Rev Rob and the people at St Peter's Church, Harold Wood. It was a true celebration of her life,faith and eternal hope. Her dad read her favourite Bible passage from Ephesians 6 [the Whole Armour of God} Rob preached about our hope of eternal life in Jesus, and we sang her favourite hymn, In Christ Alone

We listened to the music she loved- Elton John, Rocky Horrow Show, Whitesnake and more, and watched a compilation of family photos - her beaming smile on every one of them. Helen loved life- and knew that her life in Jesus had begun here, and will continue in heaven. Her parents and her husband miss her - but find comfort as they share that hope too.

Her crazy sense of humour, her happiness and her enthusiasm for living was so evident. She often visited the Solace Centre where Chris works, to chat to people, bringing comfort, joy and encouragement. A bench is to be placed in the garden there in memory of this vivacious woman.

I have never seen a Marmite jar on the back of a funeral order of service before - but it was just right.