A woman from St. Thomas, who passed away during a vacation in Ireland, is fondly remembered by her family for her love of life, fitness, and caring for both her family and others.
Helen Valks, 73, was biking through Ireland with her husband when their bike collided with a tractor on a scenic rural road. While grappling with their loss, her family is reflecting on the many happy years they shared with her.
“Obviously we’re still finding our way through the fog. It was such a tremendous shock, but compared to the last week we’re all doing much better,” said Jeff Valks, Helen’s son.
Ireland’s National Police and Security Services announced they’re looking into the crash that took Helen’s life and are asking for witnesses while noting that it happened on May 24 around 12:45 p. m. local time (7:45 a. m. eastern time).
Jeff mentioned that he and his sister Rachel Oostdyk sensed something was wrong when they got phone alerts about their mother’s serious fall. The alert came in at 7:41 a. m., and just 12 hours later, he found himself boarding a plane to Ireland.
This led to an overwhelming sequence of travel arrangements, conversations with authorities, heartbreak, along with warm gestures from locals in Ireland, Jeff shared.
The police allowed the siblings to walk along the same stretch of road where their mother died; an experience Jeff described as helping him understand what she might have gone through on that road.
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Family members and friends say Helen was unmatched in her ability to bring joy to people around her. (Submitted)
The experience also had its unexpected moments of comfort amidst grief; hotel staff looked after his father kindly. Strangers cried alongside his family and offered support while airport workers arranged private transport after learning why they were there.
Rachel reflected that it was both hard yet beautiful.
“Nothing prepares you for that moment when you find out your mom is gone, but we were so blessed by the kindness of people, and we can learn so much from what we experienced.”
A shining aspect amid all this sadness was how closely the care shown by Irish locals mirrored Helen’s way of living life fully, Rachel noted.
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Rachel and her husband photographed at the site where Helen died, on a rural road in Ireland. (Submitted)
A breast cancer survivor who worked as a nurse and yoga instructor as well as being an enthusiastic cyclist, Helen inspired many people throughout her life.
“A lot of people have a tendency when someone is in pain or suffering to pull away. But she would dive in. That’s what set her apart,” Rachel said. “That’s what made her so successful as a nurse, mother, grandmother, yoga instructor and friend. Her ability to do what others couldn’t.”
As kids growing up together, Jeff remembers strangers stopping them at grocery stores because they recognized him or his sister from when their mom cared for them or their parents in ICU; they always spoke highly of Helen.
Friend Kelly Wells emphasized how deeply Helen influenced those she cared for during her nursing career – it’s clear she embodied compassion not only towards patients but also towards families involved.
“I think the reason that people stopped her kids in stores was because she got so involved in not just looking after the patient but also the family,” Wells stated.” She looked after the whole situation.” We’re just going to miss her like crazy. She was one-of-a-kind.”![]()
Helen right and friend Kelly Wells sit on camping chairs in this undated photo.(Kelly Wells)
Helen will be celebrated fondly over coming days; visitation has been arranged for June 5 between 2-4 p. m. and again from 7-9 p. m. A funeral mass will take place June 6 at 1 p. m., at Holy Angels’ Church located in St. Thomass.
A yoga event honoring Helen is scheduled for June8th , at Pinafore Park starting at9:30a. m., accordingto Rachelwho addedthat through losingher mother, she learnedan important lesson:
“In amomentlife can change. Don’t get caught upin amomentandmissanopportunitytobewiththose you love,” shesaid.”Callyourmother, lingerinthatembrace, reorganizeyourplans, and makeitwork.”
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“I think the reason that people stopped her kids in stores was because she got so involved in not just looking after the patient but also the family,” Wells stated.” She looked after the whole situation.” We’re just going to miss her like crazy. She was one-of-a-kind.”
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