The unthinkable happened on a long flight home. A mother of two died in her sleep while seated next to her children and husband. Helen Rhodes was traveling to the UK from Hong Kong on August 5, 2022, when she tragically departed this life.
A few hours into the flight, Rhodes was found to be unresponsive. Attempts were made to resuscitate her, but they were unsuccessful. Her body remained seated next to her family for eight hours. While this was difficult, the family got the chance to say goodbye.
The plane eventually landed in Frankfurt, Germany, where Rhode’s body was left, according to protocol. Her husband, Simon, and children, Emma and Nathan, traveled on to their final destination without her. An official from the UK Foreign Office stated to The Guardian, “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died on a flight to Frankfurt and are in contact with the local authorities.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been created by Jayne Jeje to help the family during this difficult time. According to Jeje, Rhodes was a “a devoted wife and mother. She was the glue that held her family together.”
Jeje goes on to say that Rhodes “was one of a kind, a gem.” She was active in her community and “always willing to lend a helping hand or advice to anyone who needed it.” Rhodes was intelligent, “clever, witty and generous with her time.”
Rhodes and her family had lived in Hong Kong for 15 years. Rhodes worked as a midwife. She was very involved in her community of Tung Chung, in Hong Kong. She was an early member of a group called the Tung Chung Mums, where she generously shared her medical knowledge.
Rhodes and her family were moving back to the UK. She “was excited and nervous about the move.” She had not seen her extended family since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond working as a midwife, Rhodes owned her own small business. She made bows and accessories. She was “sharp and creative” and took great pride in her work.
Andrew Spires posted a touching tribute to Rhodes on Facebook, stating, “I knew Helen only on a 'school gates' level but she was the most caring, generous and thoughtful person; also the most chatty! Tung Chung and school pick-up won't be the same without you.”
Another Facebook user, Kristee Quinn, commented, “heartbreaking. If anyone needed a helping hand Helen was always at the front of the queue. Terrible for her children to be there at her passing.”
The GoFundMe page has raised over £23,000 ($27,750) so far. It will go toward funeral costs, to help support Rhodes’ family, and to create a legacy fund to help honor her memory.
"The grief we feel is paralyzing," Jeje says. "Yet, we feel lucky to have known her."
