I to wish to offer my prayers to Brenda and her family. I truely believe that we will all have the chance to meet again. It will be a grand reunion some day when we leave this life. Seeing family members and friends and sharing old times and memories. May God bless us all that we will live out the rest of lives making memories for ourselves and others.
To all of Brenda's family and friends: When I say her name, my immediate response is a smile and I only knew her as a child. From the emails, facebook, and stories from others, her life paints a picture of a loving Mother and friend. Her bravery and strength in a time of crisis, truly pointed to having the peace of God that passes all understanding. As belevers, we know that the mortal body is temporary and the true person is in the spirit that lives forever....to be absent of the body is to be present with the Lord. There is no better place to be. God bless all of you and keep smiling.
Brenda Joyce (Nash) Helkey went to be with her Lord and Savior December 24, 2015, at the age of 68 after a six year battle with breast cancer. She was born September 2, 1947 in Carey, OH. She graduated from Carey High School in 1965, then worked as a nurse's aide at Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, OH for several years, where she affirmed that her passion was to take care of others. She attended Bowling Green Area School of Practical Nursing from 1969-1970, where she obtained her nursing license. She got married in July, 1970, and moved to Mountain View, CA in Dec, 1970, where her then husband (John Helkey) had been transferred with the United States Air Force and where she gave birth to their two children. In September, 1976, they moved to San Antonio, TX, where she spent the remainder of her life.
After a couple years of being settled in San Antonio, she started working at Southern Manor Nursing Home, where she worked for several years, then at St. Benedict's Hospital. She then made a switch to Methodist Hospital, where she spent the last almost 30 years of her career. She worked as a pediatric nurse for the vast majority of those years at Methodist, but had transitioned to working in Case Management her last 4-1/2 years there.
Friendly and kind, with a wonderful sense of humor and always putting others first, she made friends easily and was a very compassionate nurse. She was commended time and time again for the loving care she gave her patients. She played the piano and enjoyed singing and taking photographs, and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron from 1995-96. A lover of all animals, she took particular delight in feeding and observing birds, loved gardening and the outdoors. As fun-loving and kind as she was, she was also incredibly hard-working, independent and strong.
For everything of which she could be proud, nothing could touch how proud she was to be grandmother to her two grandsons and how proud she was OF her grandsons, always making sure they knew how near and dear to her heart they were. You couldn't have known her for more than 2 minutes and NOT know that she had 2 grandsons that were the lights of her life. She supported them in every way imaginable and they always knew they could rely on their beloved grandma! They loved her so and knew how fortunate they were to have her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Maurine (Moyer) Nash; her great uncle, Daryl Moyer; brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Marilyn Nash; and brother-in-law, Larry Brown. She is survived and will be dearly missed by son, Christopher Helkey; daughter, Heather (Helkey) Lewis; grandsons, Hayden and Logan Lewis; aunt, Freda Moyer; half sister, Debbie Brown; half brother and sister-in-law, John and Gina Perkins; stepmother, Mickey Lou Perkins; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated, phenomenal care provided by Dr. Kyriakos Papadopoulos and staff at The START Center, Dr. Robert Goff, Jr. and staff, and VITAS Inpatient Hospice. She was treated like family by all of these medical professionals that had a hand in her care, and for that the family is eternally grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to charities that fund cancer research.
On Christmas Eve 2015, I lost my oldest and dearest friend. We have been friends for as long as I can remember, as Brenda’s mother, Maurine, and my mother Mazie had been friends from childhood all thru their lives.
Brenda and I seemed to belong to all the same organizations during school, and when I learned to drive I became her personal taxi. Oh how she annoyed me then as she would be standing outside her house when I arrived to pick her up and she would be gazing up at the sky wishing on a star and not hear me blowing my horn. I thought it oh so appropriate that the first e-mail address she gave me was Starry Moon Flower. She was such an innocent soul. Oh what I would give for those days again.
Even after high school we found ourselves in the same building in Bowling Green where she attended nursing school on the main floor, and I was teaching mentally challenged children on the upper floor.
Even though the miles from Texas to Ohio separated us all these years, we still had this bond…..one that will never die. I will always love and imagine Brenda gazing at the stars hovering over Leaky, Texas on the ranch that her daughter Heather lived on. She often wrote and sent pictures of it because she thought it so beautiful.
I send my condolences to her children, Christopher and Heather, and those two precious grandsons, Haden and Logan, of whom she was extremely proud. God give you peace in knowing that she loved you all deeply and a blessing knowing that you looked after Brenda with such love and dedication through her illness. From experience all I can tell you to ease your loss is to cherish all the beautiful memories you had with her, don’t dwell on what might have been that she never got to experience because of death, and forget about her pain and suffering. She would only want you to be happy and carry on her beautiful legacy.
God has taken the pain and suffering away by wrapping you in his loving arms and taken you to his glorious heavenly home to live my dearest Brenda. Some day in the not too distant future we will be reunited and oh what a glorious day that will be.
Brenda Brenda Brenda.. Girl I see you dancing with the Angels.. If anyone is going to Heaven it's gonna be you sweetheart.. You have given your life through your career helping others.
You are with your loved ones and classmates who have passed before you. I remember your caring, but also your silliness. You had this deadpan humor that would crack everyone up. You also would make these facial expressions that would melt your heart.
You will always be remembered. Always..you are such a strong force to contend with.. you have left lasting memories. God Speed. Love trudy
Janet Shull (Mizer)
Janet Shull (Mizer)
Patti Blair (Hoover)
My deepest condolences to Brenda's family and friends. May you find comfort in the Lord and knowing Brenda is at peace.Steven Pieracini
I to wish to offer my prayers to Brenda and her family. I truely believe that we will all have the chance to meet again. It will be a grand reunion some day when we leave this life. Seeing family members and friends and sharing old times and memories. May God bless us all that we will live out the rest of lives making memories for ourselves and others.
Steven Pieracini
Joyce Hayman
To all of Brenda's family and friends: When I say her name, my immediate response is a smile and I only knew her as a child. From the emails, facebook, and stories from others, her life paints a picture of a loving Mother and friend. Her bravery and strength in a time of crisis, truly pointed to having the peace of God that passes all understanding. As belevers, we know that the mortal body is temporary and the true person is in the spirit that lives forever....to be absent of the body is to be present with the Lord. There is no better place to be. God bless all of you and keep smiling.
Janet Shull (Mizer)
Janet Shull (Mizer)
Brenda Joyce (Nash) Helkey
September 2, 1947 - December 24, 2015
Brenda Joyce (Nash) Helkey went to be with her Lord and Savior December 24, 2015, at the age of 68 after a six year battle with breast cancer. She was born September 2, 1947 in Carey, OH. She graduated from Carey High School in 1965, then worked as a nurse's aide at Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, OH for several years, where she affirmed that her passion was to take care of others. She attended Bowling Green Area School of Practical Nursing from 1969-1970, where she obtained her nursing license. She got married in July, 1970, and moved to Mountain View, CA in Dec, 1970, where her then husband (John Helkey) had been transferred with the United States Air Force and where she gave birth to their two children. In September, 1976, they moved to San Antonio, TX, where she spent the remainder of her life.
After a couple years of being settled in San Antonio, she started working at Southern Manor Nursing Home, where she worked for several years, then at St. Benedict's Hospital. She then made a switch to Methodist Hospital, where she spent the last almost 30 years of her career. She worked as a pediatric nurse for the vast majority of those years at Methodist, but had transitioned to working in Case Management her last 4-1/2 years there.
Friendly and kind, with a wonderful sense of humor and always putting others first, she made friends easily and was a very compassionate nurse. She was commended time and time again for the loving care she gave her patients. She played the piano and enjoyed singing and taking photographs, and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron from 1995-96. A lover of all animals, she took particular delight in feeding and observing birds, loved gardening and the outdoors. As fun-loving and kind as she was, she was also incredibly hard-working, independent and strong.
For everything of which she could be proud, nothing could touch how proud she was to be grandmother to her two grandsons and how proud she was OF her grandsons, always making sure they knew how near and dear to her heart they were. You couldn't have known her for more than 2 minutes and NOT know that she had 2 grandsons that were the lights of her life. She supported them in every way imaginable and they always knew they could rely on their beloved grandma! They loved her so and knew how fortunate they were to have her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Maurine (Moyer) Nash; her great uncle, Daryl Moyer; brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Marilyn Nash; and brother-in-law, Larry Brown. She is survived and will be dearly missed by son, Christopher Helkey; daughter, Heather (Helkey) Lewis; grandsons, Hayden and Logan Lewis; aunt, Freda Moyer; half sister, Debbie Brown; half brother and sister-in-law, John and Gina Perkins; stepmother, Mickey Lou Perkins; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated, phenomenal care provided by Dr. Kyriakos Papadopoulos and staff at The START Center, Dr. Robert Goff, Jr. and staff, and VITAS Inpatient Hospice. She was treated like family by all of these medical professionals that had a hand in her care, and for that the family is eternally grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to charities that fund cancer research.
To sign the guest book, go to:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sanantonio/obituary.aspx?pid=177227776
MEMORIAL SERVICE
MONDAY
JANUARY 11, 2016
7:00 P.M.
CHURCHILL BAPTIST CHURCH
12400 VISTA VIEW ST, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78231
Janet Shull (Mizer)
On Christmas Eve 2015, I lost my oldest and dearest friend. We have been friends for as long as I can remember, as Brenda’s mother, Maurine, and my mother Mazie had been friends from childhood all thru their lives.
Brenda and I seemed to belong to all the same organizations during school, and when I learned to drive I became her personal taxi. Oh how she annoyed me then as she would be standing outside her house when I arrived to pick her up and she would be gazing up at the sky wishing on a star and not hear me blowing my horn. I thought it oh so appropriate that the first e-mail address she gave me was Starry Moon Flower. She was such an innocent soul. Oh what I would give for those days again.
Even after high school we found ourselves in the same building in Bowling Green where she attended nursing school on the main floor, and I was teaching mentally challenged children on the upper floor.
Even though the miles from Texas to Ohio separated us all these years, we still had this bond…..one that will never die. I will always love and imagine Brenda gazing at the stars hovering over Leaky, Texas on the ranch that her daughter Heather lived on. She often wrote and sent pictures of it because she thought it so beautiful.
I send my condolences to her children, Christopher and Heather, and those two precious grandsons, Haden and Logan, of whom she was extremely proud. God give you peace in knowing that she loved you all deeply and a blessing knowing that you looked after Brenda with such love and dedication through her illness. From experience all I can tell you to ease your loss is to cherish all the beautiful memories you had with her, don’t dwell on what might have been that she never got to experience because of death, and forget about her pain and suffering. She would only want you to be happy and carry on her beautiful legacy.
God has taken the pain and suffering away by wrapping you in his loving arms and taken you to his glorious heavenly home to live my dearest Brenda. Some day in the not too distant future we will be reunited and oh what a glorious day that will be.
Love you always Brenda !
Your old friend from Carey, Ohio,
Janet Marie Shull Mizer
Trudy Heck (Hylant)
Brenda Brenda Brenda.. Girl I see you dancing with the Angels.. If anyone is going to Heaven it's gonna be you sweetheart.. You have given your life through your career helping others.
You are with your loved ones and classmates who have passed before you. I remember your caring, but also your silliness. You had this deadpan humor that would crack everyone up. You also would make these facial expressions that would melt your heart.
You will always be remembered. Always..you are such a strong force to contend with.. you have left lasting memories. God Speed. Love trudy
Janet Shull (Mizer)
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Merry Christmas Brenda
Thinking of you tonight and many other nights my dear friend.
With love .......... Janet
In Memory Of You
© By M.S.Lowndes
We want to always remember
The beautiful life you lived
And keep alive the memories we have
Through remembering what you did
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For you're so special to all of us,
A wonderful person indeed
Your love, laughter and warm smile
Reflected a heart that believed
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Just in the everyday things we do
We remember your faith and love
In the words you spoke to help us through
Is a continued reminder for us
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Although we miss you so very much
We know we'll see you once more,
For this is the hope we have in God,
Being re-united in the Lord
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And as we gather we'll continue to share
Special times we went through,
For these are memories that warm our hearts
As we honour the memory of you.