St. Thomas woman killed during Irish vacation remembered fondly by family, friends

A St. Thomas woman who died while vacationing in Ireland is being remembered by her family as someone who loved life, exercise, and taking care of her family and strangers alike.

Helen Valks, 73, was cycling across Ireland with her husband, riding along a picturesque rural road when her bicycle collided with a tractor. In the aftermath, her family — while reeling from the loss — is reflecting on the many decades of joy they say she brought to them.

"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 said they're investigating the collision that killed Helen, appealing for witnesses and disclosing that a tractor and her bicycle collided on May 24 at around 12:45 p.m. local time, or 7:45 a.m., eastern time.

According to Jeff, he and his sister Rachel Oostdyk knew something was wrong when they received phone alerts saying their mother had a hard fall. The alert came in at 7:41 a.m., and 12 hours later, he said, he was boarding a plane to Ireland.

What followed was a flurry of travel, contact with police, heartbreak, and heartwarming displays of Irish hospitality, Jeff said.

Police allowed the siblings to walk the same stretch of road where his mother died, an experience he said let him walk in his mother's shoes, and understand what she may have experienced on that road.

The experience also brought unexpected moments of joy, mixed with grief, Jeff said. Hotel staff ensured his father was cared for. Strangers cried with his family and offered their hospitality, and airport staff even called the family a private shuttle after learning their reasons for visiting Ireland.

According to Rachel, the experience was both difficult and 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."

Part of the beauty that shone through the situation, is how closely the treatment Irish locals showed to the family resembled how Helen lived her life, Rachel added.

A breast cancer survivor, nurse, yoga instructor and avid cyclist, Helen touched and inspired countless people, she said.

"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 a child, Jeff recalls being stopped in grocery stores by people whose parents Helen had cared for in the ICU, and they "spoke so highly of her," he said.

Friend and former colleague Kelly Wells said the impact Helen had on her patients was certainly a reflection of the kind of person she was.

"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 the family. She looked after the whole situation," Wells said. "We're just going to miss her like crazy. She was one-of-a-kind."

Helen will be remembered fondly in the days to come, with a visitation scheduled for June 5 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Sifton Funeral Home in St. Thomas. A funeral mass is scheduled for June 6, at 1 p.m., at Holy Angels' Church in St. Thomas.

On June 8, a yoga event is planned to celebrate Helen at Pinafore Park at 9:30 a.m, Rachel said, adding that through losing her mother she learned a lesson.

"In a moment life can change. Don't get caught up in a moment and miss an opportunity to be with those you love," she said. "Call your mother, linger in that embrace, reorganize your plans, and make it work."