Sunday 7 August 2022

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.


21 comments:

  1. I am so sorry that you have lost yet another wonderful relative...and at such a young age. So good that her funeral was a celebration of the hopeful, joyful and exuberant person Helen clearly must have been. Again, my condolences. It has certainly been a difficult few years for you.

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  2. My deep sympathy to your and the family on the loss of the delightful Helen. May memories of her brighten your days.

    Hugs!

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  3. I’m sorry to hear you have lost another family member and thank you for sharing that happy photograph. Some said to me after my Dad’s funeral that I had organised that he would have enjoyed, and so I knew I had got it just right. Catriona

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    1. Thank you Catriona. Yes, to receive a comment like would be a great consolation

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  4. My deepest sympathies, Angela, on the loss of another of your lovely family members. What a vibrant person she must have been; I'm sure she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

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  5. My deepest sympathy to you on the loss of another beautiful relative. The hymn is so appropriate for someone full of faith. I like to think that she will be celebrating with your cousin Gill. So good that she had a funeral full of hope.

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    1. Yes - she and Gill laughed together a lot on earth, so why not in heaven?

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  6. Ang I am so sorry to read this blog update, my thoughts and prayers are with you all but my goodness what an amazing faith Helen had, and I’m sure that must be a massive comfort to you all at this time. It sounds like the whole service really captured her love of life and her faith. Sending hugs ❤️

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    1. Thank you - I'm sure the positive, joyful service was a help to many

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  7. So sorry Angela, for another sad loss, so young. Not sure if this helps in this instance, but if Helen’s husband was younger than her, under 51, then the Widowed and Young (WAY) charity have been a great support to me. X

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    1. Thank you for mentioning the WAY charity, not relevant to this situation - but maybe helpful to others reading this. I've heard positive reports of them before. Thanks again

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  8. Sorry for your loss. she was gone too young. Kia kaha

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    1. Thank you Carole, for those Maori words of encouragement

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  9. I am very sorry for your loss. Helen was clearly a dear relative to you and a kind and gentle person. My sympathies to you and family.

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    1. Thank you Celie - I know that you too have suffered bereavement in recent months ❤️

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  10. I'm so very sorry to hear of this unexpected loss. She sounds another wonderful woman- kind and inspirational in many ways.xx

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