January 15, 1954 – June 23, 2011
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2
Surrounded by her loving family, as she would have desired it, with a mixture of joy and sorrow we announce that Anne Helmus very peacefully went home to live eternally with her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. After a valiant five-year struggle with cancer, Anne finally succumbed on June 23, but we believe that she is now rejoicing and dancing in heaven. She will be greatly missed by Bill, her loving husband for nearly 33 years, and their four children: Diana and David Reitsma (and much adored Nana to Marshall, Adam, and Kyle), Sean and Anita, Jonathan and Paola, and Ryan. Predeceased by her parents, Willem and Johanna Bakker (Strathroy, Ontario), she will be fondly remembered by her six brothers: Bert (deceased on May 20, 2011) and Ellen of Strathroy, Ontario; Harry and Betty of Bradenton, Florida; Bernie and Irene of Whitby, Ontario; Paul and Lory of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Ralph and Diane of Palmerston, Ontario; and Wilmar and Melinda of Listowel, Ontario. Many other members of her large extended family will miss her dearly as well. After meeting while teaching at Calgary Christian School, with Anne teaching Grade 5, Anne and Bill were married in Calgary, Alberta in 1978, where their first three children (Diana, Sean, Jonathan) were born. From 1983-1985 they lived in Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea, where their youngest son, Ryan, was born, while they served with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Upon returning to Canada, they lived in Bowmanville, Ontario for eleven years. Anne spent some years at home raising the children, and also taught in local public elementary schools for several years, the final three years in Grade 1, while Bill served as principal of Knox Christian School. The family moved to Victoria in 1997 when Bill took up the position as principal of Pacific Christian Elementary School. Anne taught various elementary grades in the Saanich School District, with her final few years at Saanichton and KELSET elementary schools. Anne was always dedicated first and foremost to her Lord and to her family, but she was also very passionate about her teaching, deeply caring for every single student. She loved teaching! Anne was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September 2006, just weeks after she and Bill returned from a wonderful 5-week missions trip, serving in rural Christian schools in Zambia, Africa. Although she suffered long and endured much, she never complained, but accepted and took in stride all of these significant changes to her personal goals and plans. Her desire was to honour God in every aspect of her life. “Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” That is exactly what Anne has done! She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her and were impacted by her life.
Heartfelt thanks to Dr. Patti Olsen for her genuine love and care, and to Dr. Jorg Michels and many other caring and competent physicians, nurses and other staff at the Victoria Cancer Clinic, plus Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cancer Society, or to your favourite charity.
Everyone is invited to a special service to celebrate Anne’s life at GLAD TIDINGS PENTECOSTAL CHURCH on Wednesday, June 29 at 3:00 pm. A private graveside service will be held earlier at Royal Oak Burial Park. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
39 Responses
Dear Bill and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Anne was such a great friend and colleague to so many of us. She was always willing to lend a hand and to be there for support for all of us. We know how blessed we were to have had Anne in our lives.
My sincere condolences.
Heather Fawkes
I wish there were some way for me to express my deepest condolences, my prayers go out for all of you at this very emotional time. We truly loss a great friend to our God, we know she is in safe arms of our Lord now. We have to be strong and remember all of your good times..our family is sending our deepest sympathy and prayers.
Gerry, MaryLou, Riley and Rachael Vinet
Dear Bill and family,
I am saddened by the loss of your Anne, wife, friend, confidente, mother, grandmother, so many of the roles that she had. May God comfort and sustain you through these difficult days. May He be your strength and guide. With love, Rena Hamming
Dear Bill and all extended family,
Undoubtedly, a little of Anne will live on in ALL of us. Anne showed us all how to live when life became difficult. Her unyielding faith, courage, class and tenacity didn’t go unnoticed—what a gracious warrior. Anne was, and always will be an inspiration to me and to those who knew her.
Much peace, joy, strength and faith as you miss your beloved Anne.
-Jacqueline Nikolejsin PCS
Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this time of sorrow.
Bill, we are so sad to hear of Anne’s passing. She was an inspirational teacher to both of my girls – Aleisha, now finishing grade 7, had the pleasure of being taught grade 4 by Anne. Aleisha wrote a story called “If I Were A Teacher” about Anne that was published in a book of children’s stories. Anne clearly made a huge impression on her. Hailey, now finishing grade 4, was taught grade 2 by Anne. She helped Hailey immensely and will never be forgotten. Our whole family has been inspired by your family’s incredible strength during this time. Our heartfelt love to your whole family at this difficult time. xoxoxo
Dear Bill and family,
Les and I would like to express our sincerest condolences at the loss of your lovely Anne: wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and dear friend. We know you have many many wonderful memories and adventures to keep Anne close to your hearts and in your thoughts forever. Anne was a vibrant, determined and caring friend. We shall treasure our memories of the good times we shared.
With our love
Theodora and Les Saddlemyer
What a lovely memorial of a lovely lady. We are so sorry for your loss. Be comforted with the image of her in heaven totally healed and in Jesus’ arms. May God comfort you as you mourn,
Dalila and John
Dear Bill and family,
Bill, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. May you experience the grace, comfort and peace of our heavenly Father over the days and weeks ahead of you.
‘I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121)
Anne knew that well.
Hank and Carol
Winnipeg, MB
Dear Bill and family,
Ron and I were so saddened to hear of your loss. We can’t imagine the pain you all are going through right now. May you feel God’s loving, comforting arms during this difficult time. Treasure the wonderful memories and the beautiful legacy that Anne has left behind.
Praying for strength for every one of you.
Love and prayers,
Ron and Linda Dees
Calgary AB