Helen was born in Paeroa New Zealand. Where our Dad Charles worked at the Waihi Goldmine.  The price of gold fell, and the company laid off workers.  Our Dad was one of these.  The family shifted to Hawera, where Mum was born. One of 13 children.  There was work available.

Helen attended Tawhiti primary school there, and then the local High School.  She took great pleasure in being part of a “Marching Team”.  After High School she worked for a local firm of solicitors.  Consequently, she fancied herself as a “Bush Lawyer”

She Trained as a Registered Nurse, in Auckland. When I went to Uni also in Auckland, she was very generous to me.  She would loan me her car on occasion to get to and fro from Uni.

I was boarding at the Baptist Theological College at the time, and the Principal told me where to park her car.  One of the Proffs reversed out of the garage, and made some modifications to Helen’s car, I was so embarrassed!

After her training Helen worked as a Nurse Receptionist for a Mr. Mills an Ear Nose and throat Specialist in Remuera, Auckland.  It was around this time, that she got to know David.  They were married in the Baptist church in Hawera.

Andrew and the twins were born in Auckland.  When Martyn and Stephen were about 18 months, you all went to America, and lived in a tent for a time in Houston.

You all came to visit Nana and us in Hawera once.  Helen made quite a number of visits to see her Mum.  She brought gifts for us all, and especially for our children.  Helen was a very special Aunty, to our children, they remember her well, with gratitude.