'Helen was one of a kind, a gem.'
A “one of a kind” mum died suddenly while flying back to the UK after spending 15 years living in Hong Kong. A few hours into the flight, Helen Rhodes was found unresponsive and couldn't be resuscitated after passing away in her sleep.
Though it was an "extremely traumatising" experience, the "devastated" family had the opportunity to say their last goodbyes while sitting beside her. When they arrived Helen's body stayed in the German city while her husband and kids continued on to the UK, leaving behind the "glue that held the family together".
She said: "Helen and her family wrapped up a life in Hong Kong of over 15 years to embark on a new chapter living back home in the UK. Helen was excited and nervous about the move, but looked forward to seeing her family back home, as she had not seen her family or ageing parents since the pandemic began.“She was a midwife by profession, and was always willing to lend a helping hand or advice to anyone who needed it. Helen loved to talk and made friends easily.
She became an invaluable member of a motherhood group in the district and would be their point of reference for anything medical-related, Jayne said.