am 1 year too late and so sad about that. John and Helen purchased their land in Bridge Lake same time I did way back. and were my neighborsI just never got there. Covid has kept me away for 2 years. She was a fine, creative brave women and loving mother.

Somehow I missed learning of Helen's passing until just the other day, when regrettably I sent her a birthday greeting on Facebook and John wrote to me.  I'm sad that Helen and I weren't in more touch in recent years, but I have fond memories of her from our college years together, 1964-1967.  We were in the same dorm, and then our senior year, she and I and two others shared an apartment.  Helen and I went to a party together, the night she met John!  They were pretty much inseparable after that.  So many others have commented on Helen's kindness, quiet friendliness, and sensitivity - those are qualities I saw in her too.  Over time, I also observed her commitment to sustainable living, which I admired a lot.  My sincere condolences to John, her children and other family members, and her friends.

Dear John, Nate and Jocelyn and Family, I sent a short msg earlier but am not sure if it was received. Although I am late, felt it was important to send these thoughts again.  Am so sorry for your loss of wonderful Helen.  I know Helen’s amazing goodness and  loving spirit will still surround your family and that is probably a comfort. I so appreciate knowing Helen as a friend and feel  the  loss even though it had been years since visiting with you in Bridge Lake.  She was someone I admired for her gentleness,  honesty, her sensitivity and integrity. If you can pls send your Kamloops address so I can send a card. I left my email with the memorial page.  Hug, caring thoughts, love,  Judy Hanazawa and family

Helen stayed with me during winter in my home in 100 Mile House  when she was working in the Ministry of children services in town and Williams Lake.  We connected when they moved to Kamloops.  I planned to move to Kamloops when I retire in summer.  She was taking her time to look for a house for me, emailed me those houses she found.  I'm deeply saddened of her sudden passing and my condolences to the whole family.  I now live in Vernon after living in 100 Mile House for 25 years.  I always login to the 100 Mile House Free Press and that's how I found out about Helen. a wonderful person.

Dear John, Nathan, Jocelyn and Families,
Helen and I worked together as social workers  in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House  and she  became my supervisor. She was always able to see the better side of what others conceived of as a problem. She gave human beings a sense of their worth and she treated all people with dignity.
Thank for that, Helen.
My thoughts are with you all. Take care of yourselves.



Hello John and Family
We were thankful you decided to share with us the memories of Helen. 
Hoping you are managing ok, and your kids are a comfort. 
I have nothing but wonderful memories of Helen; her quiet kindness and compassion was an example for me. 
She was always so kind and interested in what I was doing whenever we ran into each other. 
Sending your my sincere good thoughts:)
Hope you continue to see her in your children and grand children. 
“Within the garden of my heart
Where flowers of friendship grow
There are blossoms of remembrance 
For-get-me-nots so blue
And purple velvet pansies
To tell my thoughts of you
And roses that will always bloom
Whatever be the weather
Who’s fragrance us the memory
Of days we spent together.”
With Love 
Barb Matfin (Levick)


John, Nathan, Jocelyn and Family

Please accept our deepest sympathy on your loss. Helen was such a wonderful Supervisor and friend. She was wonderful in so many ways. She always had good things to say about everyone. She always shared wonderful stories of her family. She will be deeply missed by all of us.

Diane and Family

Hello John,
I am so, so very sorry and shocked to hear about Helen's passing.  
I will always remember and miss Helen's laugh and her lovely nature. Some people in this life make impressions on us that remain no matter how much time passes in between visits and feelings of this lasting kind remain strong.  Helen was important to me... you both are in my heart forever. 
My heartfelt condolences to you and Nathan and Jocelyn. You are all very special people. 
Please contact me somewhere "down the road" at my email blueraye@shaw.ca if you would like to be in touch whenever you are back to some semblance of your life... 
I would cherish hearing from you.
Blessings and peace to you and your family always and during this devastating time.  Diana (previously Diana Duck)

John.  I was so shocked to hear of Helen's passing.  I only met you two because of my deceased wife, Karen Healy.  We visited you in the late 80s.  Hard to believe it's been that long.  I still have three of your art pieces in my home.  Old Chestnut in the dining room.  I remember both of you as kind welcoming people and will always cherish the brief moments we shared at your home.  I got a card from a friend of Karen's after she had passed.  In essence it said that Karen was not gone but had gone ahead.  I so hope that is how it is.  John, I am so sorry for your loss.  All my love.  Mike Holly.  Olympia Washington.  

I was in the same Class of 1963 with Helen in Woodsfield OH. We took drivers education together on our lunch hour with Harold Cline as our instructor. He was a pilot & I think we heard more about flying planes than driving cars. 
Every 5 years when we would have a reunion I would send her the information. The last address I had was Bridge Lake. 
Our class will give the Alumni Assn a donation of $50 that will go toward a scholarship for a senior in Helen's memory.
She was a sweet girl.


I first met Helen at Aquafit class around six years ago.  I was new to Kamloops and didn't know anyone.  She was friendly in a quiet, gentle way and helped me feel welcome.  As I got to know her, I realized we had many things in common, one being we were both born in the states.  Later in our Saturday show and tell, I discovered she was a very talented writer.  I so enjoyed her stories and poems which were filled with depth and beauty.  I am grateful to have known her and will miss her very much.  

Helen and I were colleague Social Workers in 100 Mile House (in the 80’s i think). I trained her as a sub.  She covered my entire caseload when i took a 6 month leave of absence to travel the world.  She was an excellent Social Worker. 
John, so sorry.  I an in schock

I was sorry to hear of Helen’s passing.  She graduated with my sister Jan.  Have good memories of r high school days in Ohio with Helen and Carlynn..I graduated with Carlynn in 1960.  My condolences to Helen’s Family. Also to Carlynn and her Family.  God Bless your Families at this sad time.  


I met Helen at the Kamloops Y.   We soon found out we knew a lot of the same people from her social work days.   We both enjoyed aquafit .  Helen was a loving gentle lady that loved aquafit and the social part of aquafit.   Coffees, lunches and parties were only a small part of our social life.   Every Saturday you would share your stories and poems with us.    There is a very big hole that Helen left in our lives we will miss her forever.   Thank you Helen for the time you gave us you were such a gift.  

So sorry for your loss 
I went to high school in Woodsfield Ohio with Helen.  She was always a very sweet and quiet person. Have some good
memories of her, Regina and myself at sleepovers!!  So sorry to not have been in touch all these years.  

My darling Helen, 
You are the kindest and sweetest sister that anyone could ever have.  You made my childhood magical as we played dolls for hours, made up bedtime stories and were the best of friends.   As adults,  living in different countries, it seemed a marvel that no matter the  distance or time apart,  when we saw each other it was as if no time had passed at all.  The day I heard you were gone in body,  I thought my heart would break.  Then I felt your beautiful, comforting presence so alive and real.  Thank you for reminding me, our spiritual bond is for all eternity.   
I love you,  always and forever, 
Your sister Carlie  

I first met Helen 50 years ago, through John, as he and I worked together in Vancouver.  We became friends, but really much closer ones after they moved to Bridge Lake.  Not only did I visit during the summer, but from 1974 to about 1984 I spent two weeks every winter with them in their small, somewhat primitive (for a city girl), but quite magical home in the woods.  Sometimes at night Helen and I would head down to the school or the community centre for badminton or Bridge, trudging through the snow, me loving every minute of it!  Those wintry Bridge Lake  days with John, Helen, Nathan and Jos provide me with some of the best memories imaginable.   Helen  was a gentle soul, funny, serious, creative, as kind as they come, and I will miss her.

To John,  and  Nathan and Jocelyn and their families, 
I am so very sorry to hear of Helen's passing.   I worked with Helen in 100 Mile House so many years ago when I was a  social worker there and when she first started working for Human Resources as a child care worker (later to be a social worker and supervisor).   This was way back  when Nate and Jocelyn were tiny little kids.    I loved visiting you all at Bridge Lake.   What a  wise, warm, wonderful  human being  Helen was.    My thoughts are with you and may your loving memories of her bring you some peace at this very difficult time. 
Many Blessings to all,
Nancy Carroll   

Our sincere condolences to you and your family John.
I worked with Helen for a number of years in 100 Mile House, and learned a lot from her.  She was a very caring and soft spoken lady.


To John and family,
When I met Helen at the Aquafit class she made a point of saying hello to me.  I noticed that she had a kind, soft-spoken manner about her and when I was going through some difficulties she told me to talk about what was bothering me.  Helen had a beautiful soul and I will miss her greatly at our weekly social distancing gatherings when the weather gets warmer.   My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.   May fond memories ease your pain as the weeks and months go by.

Helen is my cousin we live in ohio she was a bridemaid in my wedding in 1965 she was definitely a sweet quiet lady she will be missed 

Dear John and Family, 
Please know my thoughts are with you at this sad time. 
 Helen was part of our Aquafit class, which developed into so much more than an exercise session. Our group would eventually adopt the name ‘Aquabelles’ as Helen and the rest of us sang along with the exercise songs (the sixties being favourite tunes). 
Helen and I laughingly described our carpooling to the Y as a “symbiotic” relationship: I drove and her parking pass provided free parking. 
Often the Aquabelles would meet after class at Frankly’s  Coffee for a cuppa and lively conversation. Helen, although known for her kind, gentle nature, could rise to the challenge of a good political debate! 
Helen and I found we had common taste in books and political views which led to in depth discussions and nurtured our friendship. 
Over the years, I have developed the habit of looking at Helen’s window each time I pass her home. Often, Helen would be reading in her chair. If the blinds were closed, I knew she and John were at Bridge Lake. I found myself looking even today and felt her absence. 
I was so shocked and so very saddened by Helen’s unexpected passing. Helen was that very special friend with her lovely smile and warm eyes that reflected her genuine nature. Helen will be missed. Rest In Peace. 
I hope good memories will eventually help you through your grief. Please accept my sincere condolences. 
I have included some pictures of Helen with the Aquabelles. 





John and Family, Helen was a wonderful person, I remember her from, Gentle Fit at The Y.  I know that she will be missed by her family and friends, she was a wonderful lady,  and she had such a wonderful smile and such a warm soul. I will remember Helen. 🌹

I first met Helen by happenstance as a friend of Joselyn’s,  and was blessed  to have her and John welcome me into their family with so much love and kindness. Words cannot possibly express my deep condolences to Helen’s entire family, as I know it extends far beyond bloodlines. 

The love and acceptance, gentleness and care, that was showered on me by Helen every time we enjoyed a visit, will stay with me forever. I feel that knowing her has given me a better understanding of the value of each person I come across, and how important it is to simply be silent and listen.

How blessed we all are to have known such an amazing human being!

*The photo is one I took while on the Nicomekl Walking Trails on the day of Helen’s passing.  She was and is a bright ray of sunshine in all of our lives. 

I will miss you beyond words Helen, and am so thankful to have been able to know you.

John, we are so  so sorry to hear about Helen's passing.   We have fond memories of you and her in Bridge Lake and especially at the BL Library.  She was a lovely person and will be missed. xo
Linda and Shane 

John, my condolences to you and your family. Hellen was an excellent coworker and a great friend. 

The Kamloops YMCA-YWCA would like to offer our deepest sympathy to Helen's family and friends.  Helen will be missed by everyone she encountered on her visits.  She was such a kind, calm, wonderful person to interact with.  Sincere condolences.

Dear John, Jocelyn, Nathan & families
So so so sorry to learn of Helen’s passing.   Brings back memories of Bridge Lake.  She was a very sweet person.    How wonderful she got to enjoy all her grandchildren!   Deepest heartfelt sympathy.
Wanda & Bryan Rattray

Deepest sympathies to Helen’s family.  Such a huge and unexpected loss.  I am confident that her gentle spirit will guide you all through the days and weeks ahead.
I met Helen in her role as a social worker in 100 Mile.  Her ability to find the pulse of a difficult situation and problem solve with such dignity  and such grace will always be treasured memories.  She made a huge difference to individuals and to families.  


So sorry to hear of Helens passing.We send our sympathy and love to John and his family.
Wade & Donna Burger

Helen was such a lovely, gentle person. She is sorely missed.  Please know you are all  in our prayers.
Dana Ramstedt and Andy Balogh  🙏💕

I was lucky to know Helen. She has a kind spirit that was obvious to everyone who knew her. I believe her kind spirit lives on in all who were touched by her life. I could see it in her love for her family, and more personally for me in her love for live theatre and in her positive energy. We will all miss her. 
Jeff, Pamela and family

John, Nathan, and Jocelyn,  
I am so sorry to hear about Helen.  When I think of her, I remember walking around my parent's garden and loved to hear her talk about the plants and surroundings. Her voice was so pleasant and calming and she always seemed to have an interesting insight on things. 

You are all in my thoughts and prayers. 
Jessica Helvoigt Brennan

John, Nathan, Uli, Jocelyn,Chris,Oliver, Miranda, Caitlyn, Egan...our thoughts and love are with you.  Helen will forever live in our hearts.  She was always sweet and kind.
Duff and Rita Helvoigt, Jessica, Jay, and Ted





OBITUARY

Helen Etta Helvoigt

August 25, 1945 – January 19, 2021

Schoening Funeral Service

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