A ‘dedicated’ mother of two died unexpectedly on an aircraft in front of her children and husband.
Helen Rhodes was returning to the United Kingdom with her husband Simon and their two children Nathan and Emma on August 5 after more than 15 years in Tung Chung, Hong Kong.
Mrs. Rhodes was discovered lifeless a few hours into the journey and could not be resuscitated after passing out in her sleep.
The ‘one-of-a-kind’ mother, a nurse by profession, ‘laid in a breathless slumber’ in her seat for the remaining eight hours of the journey till the aircraft arrived in Frankfurt.
Mrs Rhodes’ corpse was left in Germany, while her husband and two children were forced to go to the UK without her.
According to a family acquaintance, the ‘very distressing’ event occurred in front of her children.
Jayne Jeje has put up a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family with unforeseen bills and to ‘remember our great friend Helen.’ So far, it has raised more than £10,000. Ms Jeje said the family was eager to “start a new chapter,” and Mrs Rhodes was looking forward to visiting her aged parents, whom she hadn’t seen since the epidemic began.
‘Helen and her family wrapped up a 15-year existence in Hong Kong to begin on a new chapter living back home in the UK,’ she wrote.
‘Helen was both delighted and anxious about the transfer, but she was looking forward to seeing her family again after not seeing them or her aged parents since the epidemic started. Sadly, she never saw them again.’
‘We are still in denial and shock over the tragic departure of our closest friend Helen Rhodes, whose life has impacted many people in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom,’ she said.
‘On the 5th of August, 2022. Helen died in her sleep on her journey from Hong Kong to the United Kingdom. Helen was discovered unconscious a few hours into the journey. Helen was unable to be resuscitated despite all attempts. This was all happening in front of her children. Helen slept out in her seat for the remaining eight hours of the travel. Despite the fact that this was highly upsetting for the family, they all had time to say what they wanted to say to her. They are, needless to say, heartbroken. This is an unfathomable loss. Helen was a wonderful wife and mother. She was the lynchpin that kept her family together. Helen stayed in Frankfurt after her arrival in Germany and the procedure that followed, while her husband (Simon) and two small children (Nathan and Emma) had to go on to the UK without her.
‘Helen and her family left Hong Kong after more than 15 years to begin a fresh chapter in their lives back home in the UK. Helen was both delighted and anxious about the transfer, but she was looking forward to seeing her family again after not seeing them or her aged parents since the epidemic started. Unfortunately, she never saw them again.
‘Helen was one of a kind, a treasure.’ She worked as a midwife and was always prepared to provide a helping hand or offer advise to anybody in need. Helen enjoyed talking and found it easy to make new acquaintances. She was the lifeblood of her Hong Kong community of Tung Chung. She couldn’t take a few steps without running across someone she recognized. She was an early member of the Tung Chung Mums, a varied group of women. Over 200 ladies came to her first if they had a question about anything medical. Helen was always willing to assist people. She was astute, astute, and generous with her time.
‘Helen was astute and inventive. She had her own company, creating stunning custom bows and accessories. Helen took great delight in her work, and her bows were wonderful. This fundraiser is in memory of a wonderful lady who was adored by many, a great friend who impacted the lives of many. We can only hope she understood how much she meant to us and how her absence will never be compensated. How sad and unreal this loss is. The sadness we are experiencing is debilitating. ‘However, we consider ourselves fortunate to have known her.’