A Message from The Arkadieff Family
Dear Friends, Family and Colleagues
We deeply apologise if this is the first time you’re finding out this sad news.
Amongst the evolving situation of shock and grief we’ve done our best to inform as many people as we can- but of course, there is no handbook for this process.
Helen, Murray and the boys recently went back to her native UK to spend time with family and spend extra time with her father- who’s health has been challenging him.
On the night of the 29th Dec, after spending time with friends and family- Helen was walking up stairs to go to bed when tragically she lost her footing and fell backwards- landing heavily. She had extensive head injuries and was unresponsive. She was rushed to the hospital, spending days in a coma state while the medical staff cared for her. After days of prayer, vigil and medical assessment, unfortunately, there was nothing more the medical staff could do to heal the Helen we all love.
On the 2nd of January 2019/3rd early hours Australian time, Helen Elizabeth Arkadieff (nee Whitehead) aged 37, sadly passed over, leaving behind her Husband Murray, two young sons Sammy (5yrs old) and Jimmy (3yrs old), her Brother Andrew and his wife (also named Helen), their daughters Megan & Olivia and her beloved parents Heather and Graham Whitehead.
Understandably Murray, his boys & both the families are devastated beyond words, and we are trying to create space for them all to just focus on the simple things as they process the fatigue & shock.
While they do this, we as their family have started to look at ways to help integrate Murray and the boys' new reality.
And this is where we need your help.
Murray and Helen had worked hard to save and build their new family home.
They had moved in just days before leaving for this overseas trip.
When the time comes for Murray to bring the boys home- the house they are coming back to is just that- a house…..but not yet a home. All the wonderful touches that Helen would have loved to have brought to her new house- are still required.
The yard is still a construction site, the windows have no blinds, there is minimal furniture, no pictures on the walls etc.
We’d love to help not only finish the house for this grieving family but help set up Murray and the boys for the next while so they can function without having to even think about all the things they will need.
We need to create a landscaped and fenced yard that offers sanctuary and space for the boys to play freely and safely.
We need to furnish the house so it feels abundant, loved and like it can hold this grieving family if they just want to shut the blinds and bunker in.
We need to help set up Sammy first for his first year of school (in prep this year) and then eventually Jimmy.
We need to fill his fridge, pantry and freezer with nourishing food so he doesn’t have to come home and even think about it.
We need a counsellor for the boys (and Murray) to help support them through the difficult days, weeks, months and years.
We would like to get a cleaner to help out intermittently.
And ultimately just give them time and support in whichever ways we can.
We as family will do whatever we can to do this, but obviously, in times like these- it’s the tribe and community that provide the wave that can help to carry them through.
If you know Helen, Murray and the boys- and are looking for ways to help show your love and support- this is how we’d ask it be channelled.
We’ve created this website “For The Love of Helen” where you can both share memories and commit support.
The other aspect of this journey we are mindful of- is sharing the stories and memories of our Helen with her sons. If you have a memorable story about Helen, or even just some simple things you loved about her, or observations about how she made a cup of tea for example- these are the stories that help build a picture of just who their mum was in the wider world. We hope to include these in a hardbound book for each of the boys. If you’d love to write them a letter they can read when the times right- please feel free to do so on the website.
There will be a memorial in England before Murray and her boys bring her home to rest and another service here in Australia where her life will be celebrated.
We understand this will come as a great shock. There will be the desire to connect and remember.
Please use the following link below to help out and stay in touch.
Many blessings
From the Arkadieff Family, their partners, and of course in advance from Murray and the boys & the Whitehead family as well.
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