As a fund-raiser for the family of a midwife who died on a flight to Britain nears £20,000, neighbours revealed that the family had been “so excited” about returning to the UK and had planned to start a “new chapter” and renovate their home after living in Hong Kong for 15 years.
After residing in Tung Chung, Hong Kong, Helen Rhodes, a “devoted” mother, passed away on August 5 while returning to the UK with her husband Simon, their son, and their daughter.
A midwife named Mrs. Rhodes was discovered to be unconscious and unable to be revived a few hours into the flight. She allegedly died while she was sleeping.
Before the plane landed in Frankfurt, her body was left in her seat for eight hours next to her distraught children.
Jayne Jeje, a close family friend, has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the family’s unexpected repatriation and funeral costs as well as to “honour our dear friend Helen.” Friends and well-wishers have flooded the website with heartfelt tributes, and it has already raised more than £18,000 of its £20,000 goal.
Mrs. Rhodes’ body is still in Germany and hasn’t been brought home yet. Without her, her husband and their two kids, Nathan and Emma, had to travel to the UK.
John Moore, Helen’s 46-year-old neighbour and Simon, her 49-year-old husband, told how Helen’s mother, who was visibly upset, claimed her daughter passed away from a “suspected heart attack” today.
It’s a terrible tragedy, the 87-year-old said. She passed away while arriving by plane. She kind of fell over. They speculate that she had a heart attack. This morning, her mother dropped by and told me about it. Both her and my wife were in tears.
“I simply don’t get it,” I said. She worked in medicine and was very fit and healthy. They have lived in this residence for a long time. About 15 years ago, they relocated to Hong Kong. It wasn’t rented out by them. It was retained.
They were eager to return home and start over, and they planned to have the house renovated. I used to get the mail and deliver it to her mother since I had the keys. We were all eager to see them return and interact with the kids.
We were aware that they would return permanently. They were giddy with anticipation. They were meant to return on Friday, but something unexpected occurred.
“The kids are at their grandparents’ house.” Given what they have gone through, it must be a dreadful thing for them. It is not worth contemplating.
It’s very, truly terrible, a different neighbour who had known the family for many years remarked. They arrived after us after 35 years of being here. They were quite friendly. When I learned about it today, I was quite upset.
She was just in her mid-40s, and the children are only entering adolescence.
They used to visit this place throughout the summer, spend the season there, and then return.
Simon hasn’t been seen by me. They are looking out for one other there since her side of the family lives close by.
They had spent fifteen years there. When they returned, they would tell me they were living a wonderful life and we would talk.
“They had a fantastic life.” She was such a kind lady. She always spoke in such a positive way about her line of work. Her kids had a great time over there. Mandarin and Cantonese were their native languages.
They were a really happy couple who were usually so upbeat. It is quite unfortunate that they must go through this right now.
They had a wonderful trip, but they were eager to return. They had not visited this area for three years because to Covid, and they were eager to meet her parents after so much time had passed.
“They were planning to renovate the home and now this has occurred,” they said. Simply said, I have no idea what they’ll do.
“We were eager to welcome them back.” Instead, I’ve stopped over there with a sympathy card.
The elderly parents of Mrs. Rhodes were too disturbed to discuss the tragedy.
In Maidenhead, Berkshire, Edward Yerby, 84, and wife Margaret, 80, opened the door with a crying lady.
They aren’t in a position to speak, she said, “I’m afraid.”
Mrs. Rhodes was ‘looking forward’ to meeting her elderly parents, whom she hadn’t seen since the outbreak of the epidemic, according to Ms. Jeje, who said the family was prepared to “embark on a new chapter.”
Helen and her family wrapped up a more than 15-year residence in Hong Kong to begin a new chapter of life back in the UK, the author wrote.
Helen had not seen her family or her ageing parents since the pandemic started, so she was both anxious and excited about the move. Despite this, she was looking forward to seeing her family again. Sadly, she was never able to reconnect with them.
We’re still in shock and disbelief over the sudden passing of our best friend Helen Rhodes, whose life touched so many people in Hong Kong and the UK, she continued.
Helen was exceptional and a gem. She was a midwife by trade and was always ready to offer assistance or guidance to those in need.
Helen enjoyed conversing and was friendly to everyone. She served as the lifeblood of her neighbourhood in Tung Chung, Hong Kong.
She was unable to move more than a few feet without coming across someone she recognised. She was a founding member of the diverse, close-knit Tung Chung Mums group.
More than 200 women turned to her first when they had queries about anything medical.
Helen was constantly willing to lend a hand. She was shrewd, funny, and kind with her time.
Helen was intelligent and inventive, she continued. She owned her own company where she produced gorgeous custom bows and accessories. Helen was proud of everything she achieved, even her beautiful bows.
This fundraising event is being held in memory of a wonderful lady who touched the lives of so many and was adored by everybody.
We can only hope that she was aware of how much she meant to us and how her emptiness would always remain.
How unbelievably terrible and bizarre this loss is. The pain we experience paralyses us. Nevertheless, we consider ourselves fortunate to have known her.
Ms. Jeje explained what occurred as follows: “On August 5, 2022. Helen died while sleeping on her travel from Hong Kong to the UK. Several hours into the journey, Helen was discovered to be unconscious.
“Despite every attempt, Helen could not be revived. Her kids watched as all of this happened. Helen slept out in her seat for the remaining eight hours of the travel.
They all had time to say what they needed to say to her, despite the fact that this was a very traumatic experience for the family.
It goes without saying that they are heartbroken. Such a loss is unfathomable.
Helen was a loving mother and wife. Her family was kept together by her like a puzzle piece.
Helen stayed in Frankfurt after her arrival in Germany and the formality that followed, forcing her husband, Simon, and their two small children, Nathan and Emma, to continue their journey to the UK without her.
The Facebook page administrator for Tung Chung Tower Communities, Andrew Spires, paid homage to Mrs. Rhodes.
He said: “Unfortunately, Helen Rhodes, a native of Tung Chung, died away on a trip back to the UK. Along with her were her two children and husband, Simon.
“I only knew Helen on a “school gates” level, but she was the most empathetic, giving, and thoughtful person I’ve ever met. Without you, pick-up from school and Tung Chung won’t be the same.
“I hope they eventually find some peace. I wish her family the best for the future.”
“Live life to the fullest, people, and give your loved ones hugs.”
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