Helen Robinson 1963-2007
Dr Helen Robinson – Book of Condolence
This electronic Book of Condolence provides friends, colleagues and students of Helen’s with the opportunity to leave memories and messages here and to read what others have written. It is intended that messages will be published into a book of condolence and given to Helen’s family.
To leave a message, complete the fields below. Your message will appear instantaneously in the online book.
(Problems with this service can be directed to DaviesLE5@cardiff.ac.uk)
-->It was with great sadness that I learnt Helen's death last September 2 days before intending to visit her at her doorside as usual.I still don't realize that her smile and hospitality will never be seen as that we shall never again talk together about travels. I visited her grave in Bishopsteignton on 9 June but no consolation.Helen you are sadly missed,I don't forget you and you still live in my heart. I pray for you . Patrick .
Patrick Mével
Tuesday 1st of July 2008 4:54 PM, Cardiff and Brest (F)
i love you
nigel harrison
Sunday 8th of June 2008 10:53 PM, england
Nous avions reçu Helen lors d'un échange Nantes-Cardiff, et nous sommes très attristés d'apprendre son décès, nous venons juste de l'apprendre.
Helen était une femme très gentille, agréable si enjouée, que nous très émus, nous aussi nous la regretterons beaucoup.
Toutes nos condoléances à son fils et sa famille et amis.
THEBAUD Annie & Raoul
Saturday 8th of March 2008 5:21 PM, NANTES - France
Helen was my personal tutor and I have just heard this tragic news. I will always remember Helen for the advice and endless encouragement she gave me. She was not only a good lecturer but a good friend and will be sorely missed.
Faisal Haque
Thursday 10th of January 2008 9:56 PM, London
I have been off work myself since mid-May and had no idea that this tragic accident had happened. Please accept my deepest condolenses for this loss. I knew Helen from several academic conferences and very much appreciated her company. Helen will be sadly missed.
Martin Robson
Thursday 13th of September 2007 10:30 AM, Durham University
Helen taught me in my second and third years at CARBS, I remember her as one of the most thoughtful and dedicated lecturers. She always had time to help me when I struggled with the course or just in life. As a group we always made sure that we put extra efforts into Helen assignments as we didn't want to disappoint her (and she always had a way of asking the right question to catch you out if you hadn't). We are forever in her debt for the extra effort that she invested to help us learn. I can honestly say that I use more of the skills that Helen taught me than most of the other course material. She had a way to make thing up-to-date and exciting so that you didn't mind making the extra effort.
I am deeply shocked at her passing, it is sad that she is gone, it is a massive loss to us all who knew her and those who are going to miss out on the pleasure.
Gemma Williams
Thursday 2nd of August 2007 6:04 PM, Cardiff
I met Helen through Simon on a conservation break - they had been friends for years from when she had lived in Bristol. Memories of watching shooting stars, fun, laughter and insight to boot. I met Helen only a few times since that break but they were all memorable meet ups - camping at the paintball site, visiting Bristol with Baz for the afternoon to play tennis, then having some sausages and walk at Aust.
I believe we all have the ability to make a positive difference; people power is so strong but many people don't see, understand or spare the time for others. Helen did all naturally. A life well lived and to the full - her spirit lives on through all who were lucky enough to meet and share some time. We will miss you. Our love and thoughts go to Baz.
Kate Avery
Wednesday 1st of August 2007 10:09 PM, Somerset
My deepest condolences to Sebastian who I first met with Helen in the corridors of Bristol University as he was being propelled at top speed (well as fast a trolley will go while loaded down with fieldwork equipment) on a Saturday morning - many years ago.
Helen was a dear friend who introduced me to the world of economics and was a great ambassador for inter-department communication. I loved visiting her neatly organized office with soft lighting and wall papered notice board, and equally relished her visits to my disorganized lab full of fish tanks in which she took great interest. Regardless of the location though, it was listening to Helen’s latest adventures that was fun and thought provoking. A visit from Helen would keep me thinking about new topics for weeks and her impact on my life will be ever lasting.
My apologies to her family for not being able to attend her funeral as I was away on fieldwork, but I marked the occasion as I hope Helen would have wanted by living life to the full.
All who knew her will agree that Helen was an unforgettable personality.
Jo Cable
Monday 30th of July 2007 9:00 PM, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University
I met Helen on a conservation break in Sussex,and she just seemed one of those people woh you instntly click with.The break was only 3 days but they were among the most relaxed 3 days i have ever spent.Maybe it was the company?The thing i most remember is Helens,come on Jerry or all the cake will be gone,by the time we get back!This was on day one!Dont you just find that its the smallest details which have the biggest impact?
Untill we are all re-united.No more words...
Jerry
Jerry
Sunday 29th of July 2007 6:08 AM, steeple claydon
I first met Helen via my cousin David Keight, who lives in Devon.
I then met her several times over the years, and it was always such a pleasure to be in her company. Her enthusiasm, intelligence and humour seemed to light up the room.
I will always remember her visits to my home in Bromsgrove, as she broke up a long journey. It was an honour to have her as a guest. Helen had a wonderful personality, which means that everyone she met, even if for a few moments, will remember her.
She was special, and we all miss her.
Paul Masters
Tuesday 24th of July 2007 3:20 PM, Bromsgrove
I met Helen when she came along for yoga lessons some years ago to help with her back. There was something so alive, so vital about Helen that I was really shocked to hear of her death. I will miss her. It seemed to me that she had a 'no nonsense' attitude to life ("you just get on with it , don't you"). We had many enjoyable philosophical discussions about the 'meaning of life' and what makes people tick, something which interested her greatly. When I think of Helen I think of someone with strong views that she wasn't afraid to express, but who would always listen patiently to an opposing view , before telling me that I was completely wrong! I also liked her sense of humour and her ability to laugh at herself and life. What also came through was her integrity , her enthusiasm, her sense of fairness and lastly the most important thing in her life ,her commitment to and respect for her son. Many Blessings on her and her family.
Mike
Tuesday 17th of July 2007 9:09 PM, Cardiff
It is sad and hard to believe you are gone, your mentorship, help and encouragement gave me new insights, I just pray you are at a better place. You are a great loss to most of us now!!
Harold Markin
Thursday 12th of July 2007 8:55 AM, Munich, Germany
When we returned from travelling and heard the news of Helen our first feelings were of desolation and loss but as we recalled our meetings we found ourselves beginning to smile. We realised that her life had enriched the lives of many others.
As a cousin of twenty years seniority I didn’t really know Helen until she turned up on my doorstep in France, in swimsuit and shorts, having had everything else stolen while doing an ecological survey of our local lakes. We spent three weeks acting like delinquent schoolgirls. Arguing, swimming and above all laughing. I remember one incident in particular. She would not accept my offer to buy her a new ticket home but agreed to the purchase of an anti-rape spray as she intended hitchhiking across France. I can’t forget the look on the shopkeeper’s face as his innocent question “Do you want the single-shot or the economy multiple action model?” sent two grown women into convulsions.
Paul met her the following year and found her, like me, a lively warm, caring person who loved her family and friends and was loved by them in return.
Sheila and Paul Doherty, Banyuls sur Mer, France
Paul and Sheila Doherty
Sunday 8th of July 2007 11:24 AM, Banyuls sur Mer, France
I was lost for words when , yesterday , her mum's letter told me about her death .So many memories come back. We first met when I spent a month with you as a student: your parents were my host family . Years went by, I became an English teacher. You came to Quimper for a stay in a French family,and that same summer I went back to your family (I had found a summer job as a shop-assistant in Weir and Son)Through your parents' regular Seasons greetings, I heard about you and your family but unfortunately, we never had the opportunity to meet again .In such circumstances, words are not of much use and life sometimes plays dirty tricks.You will always remain in our hearts.Très sincères condoléances to your family
Monique Joyeux
Friday 6th of July 2007 9:52 AM, Quimper France
Helen was my personal tutor for 3 years. She was so helpful in giving me advice about my future when I graduated in 2006. She always took interst in my life outside education and for that she was a really good friend. She was really looking forward to South America when I last saw her and enjoyed the chats we had about visiting far away new countries. My condolences go out to all her family and wish them the best for the future.
Andres Dhir
Monday 2nd of July 2007 2:25 PM, Surrey
You were one of the best Helen. My only regret is that we never caught up in the years of conversations that I needed to discuss with you. You will always be with me, all my life. My promise to your spirit is that I will try my best to look after your memories and the happy times we all have shared. I will do my very best to always be there for Baz, whenever he needs me. God Bless. Your one and only sister.
Trish Symns
Monday 2nd of July 2007 7:22 AM, Devon
I have many fun memories of Helen. She was my cousin and we spent some wonderful family Christmases together whilst growing up. A memory of Helen that stays in my mind is how she was never without her swimming costume. On a family stroll in Devon she managed to produce from a hand bag no bigger than a purse not only a swimming costume for herself but also a pair of swimming trunks for Baz so that they could take full advantage of a spontaneous dip in the sea. I guess that is what Helen did best, made the most of every opportunity.
From reading all these messages I realise how very modest she was about all her achievement. Although her life was tragically cut short I'm sure her memory will continue to inspire, not only me, but many people who knew her.
Janet
Friday 29th of June 2007 1:27 PM, Essex
I was shocked when I heard about her death, it’s just really sad, a tragic loss!
Heery, Edmund
Tuesday 26th of June 2007 11:20 AM, India
Helen only touched life for a very short time but inspired me so much to believe in myself and to live life to the full which has made me into who i am today.. I regarded her as a true friend and she will be missed enormously by myself and i'm sure by anybody who was lucky enough to have their lives touched by her.
My thoughts go out for Baz and her family
Lyndon Evans
Monday 25th of June 2007 7:51 PM, Rhondda
It was with great sadness to hear that someone who I admired so much has passed away so soon. This note is a tribute to someone who loved life and has shared it abundantly with everyone who came into her life and her path. A sad and tragic loss. You were my example of someone who never gave up on others and were a truly wonderful person, a great colleague, dedicated mother and a great example of someone who loved life, lived it and shared your joy of life to all. You will be sorely missed.
Piyapathu Ruktanonchai
Sunday 24th of June 2007 2:19 PM, Bangkok, Thailand
"Hey, Helen, let's start a band"
that is how we greeted each other in Nice when we met up at the Jazz Festival in 2003. Helen was such good fun to be with, as was Bas on that holiday, memories of jumping off rocks into the sea, of cooking sardines on the rocks that same day and enjoying such an array of music, together with Martin, with whom we shared the fun of it all.
My memeories of Helen will always bring a smile to my face, going to see Dave Brubeck at St Davids Hall, coming with me to see Walsall FC on a cold Boxing Day with her friend from Vietnam - what a cultural shock we must have given her! She was so energetic and we shared a love of cycling, although sadly never went out on a bike ride together. Helen was a good mother who always thought about what was best for Bas and we talked on the phone about parenthood and what it all means to us both. I enjoyed our intellectual journeys together too, our love of poetry and I will miss Helen so much as a good friend, a challenger, a lover of cultural expeditions and someone to talk to about the really important things in the world,
"You gave so much and will be remembered for so much by so many"
Stewart
Stewart Greenwell
Saturday 23rd of June 2007 5:16 PM, Stroud
Very professional and a excellent instructor during my second year at cardiff for the money banking and finance module.
Syed Shoaib Ahmed
Friday 22nd of June 2007 7:19 PM, London
Helen, you're my first personal tutor, the coolest and the best also. Without you, there will not be anyone else, who will treat her job so seriously and carefully in Cardiff, and there will not be anyone else who will also mark our tutorial papers every week...
I will take you into my heart forever.
Lin
Wednesday 20th of June 2007 10:38 AM, Beijing, China
I was shocked when I heard about her death, it’s just really sad, a tragic loss! Great credit to her for being such a good teacher and researcher.
My best wishes and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Jiang Wang
Monday 18th of June 2007 7:25 PM, Cardiff Business School
We were all so sad to hear about Helen. It is always tragic when someone dies so young but particularly so when that person is quite so full of life. Our sincere condolences to her family.
Anna Vignoles
Monday 18th of June 2007 10:10 AM, London
We have only just heard the tragic news of Helen's death and are shocked and saddened by it. We were fellow Monday night students of French and Helen's enthusiasm and obvious talent and intelligence set a high standard for the rest of us. It has been a privilege to have known her for the past year and we would like to extend our sincere condolences to her family and hope that the obvious love and respect which she inspired in others will help to comfort them at this time.
Anne Morgan & Elspeth Simpson
Anne & Elspeth
Friday 15th of June 2007 2:25 PM, Cardiff
Such short acquaintance but everlasting memories of moments of sharing, music ,literature, architecture and ideas. Most treasured were shared silence wondering at Chagalls window in Nice and your kindness to Greg.
Martin Shreeve
Thursday 14th of June 2007 11:44 AM, Wolverhampton
May you rest in peace. Amen
Tia
Thursday 14th of June 2007 7:51 AM, Amsterdam
We're all very lucky to have known someone so funny, so intelligent, so kind, so mature yet playful and so keen to experience life at its fullest.
Reading the comments here has been a joy because it shows that we all knew the same person. Whether you knew her as Helen the biker, Helen the tutor, Helen the dinner party host, Helen the colleague, Helen the devoted mother, Helen the person with more canoes than any one person reasonably ought to have or Helen the woman dancing in front of the stage at that jazz/funk gig, you knew her as she was. If only there were more people like her in the world. If only.
She really cared about her teaching. Positive feedback from students made her more happy than they'd ever realise. She had a real hunger for intellectual growth and she liked people who shared that hunger.
She was very concerned about some of the trends of modern life: the isolation from our neighbours; the obsession with gadgets (that she referred to as "w*nky b*ll*cks"); apathy; blandness; pettiness and conflict in all their forms.
Any reminiscence of Helen ought to include a joke. In one of my first conversations with her she told me about a friend who worked in an anti-ageism group. Intrigued, I asked what that work involves. "They rub moisturiser into people. Lots of it," was Helen's reply with barely a pause.
Anyone who ever made her happy, ever made her laugh, ever appreciated her: bless you. You did something really good.
Martin Poulter
Wednesday 13th of June 2007 10:19 PM, University of Bristol
I knew Helen through her biking. Today I dropped in on the a mechanic who used to work on her bike, to see if he had heard the news. He said he had and he reached up from his bench and handed me a postcard of the Elan Valley. It was from Helen and it was a message of thanks for fixing her bike and making it 'feel' better than before. The message may have lacked mechanical clarity and detail, but it was overflowing in kindness and consideration.
Whenever I talked to Helen about her son I always came away feeling, by comparision, that I was the worst parent in the world. She gave Baz a great start and I am sure he knows that he was lucky beyond measure in the time they had together.
My thoughts are with Helen's family and many friends.
Graham Carrick
Wednesday 13th of June 2007 9:09 PM, Cardiff
A certain part of me will always remember Helen: floating in the sea in December, walking past stack rocks in a February gale, lying on the ground staring at the sky, canoeing down the Wye, taking a detour from the intended cycle route to the climbing centre, telling me off for over filling my paniers, cooking fresh fish on a Trangia in Patagonia, a love for sparkly things and an insistance that we only ever go to tragic operas, the more deaths the better! I have learnt from you Helen, risks will be taken and wilderness will be investigated.
Gareth Blake
Wednesday 13th of June 2007 9:03 PM, Cardiff
Helen was more than an inspiration for students who love economics. She knew not only how to be a good teacher which is so rare but also how to be a good person and a good friend. She was always there when you wanted somebody to talk to. She seemed a strong woman who would do so many things at the same time and still manage to do them correctly. I wish someday I would be as good professor as Helen was. My sympathies to her family who should be so proud of Helen.
Katerina Raoukka
Wednesday 13th of June 2007 4:15 PM, Cyprus
In the brief time I knew Helen I was always pleased to bump into her in the corridoor. She was a committed, hard working and happy colleague. She will be sorely missed.
Andrew Glanfield
Wednesday 13th of June 2007 11:47 AM, Cardiff Business School
Helen was a true original - I'm sure I'll never meet anyone quite like her again. She had great energy, irrepressible positivity, and always seemed to live her life fully. And I've got to say, I have never enjoyed having dinner with a mum and her son more than I did with Helen and Baz.
Andy Crane
Tuesday 12th of June 2007 11:40 PM, Toronto
Helen always had a smile for everyone and was happy to spend time listening and sharing a joke or two no matter how busy she was. If there were more people like Helen the world would be a so much better place. I shall miss her smile and great sense of fun. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Dr Nick Rich
Tuesday 12th of June 2007 10:07 PM, South Wales
Helen - what a lovely, bright woman! We rode motorbikes together - last time in 2006 in France, when Helen was on her way back from Romania and her bike, all covered in gaffer tape, kept breaking down. Plans to go back sometime and visit more chateaux. That will not happen. No more trips. No more discussions about economics and biology. The strongest living tribute to Helen is Baz - good luck in life - she gave you a great start.
Tom Troscianko
Tuesday 12th of June 2007 6:42 PM, University of Bristol
During my degree Helen was always happy to help, she was genuine and friendly, often stopping to chat with us in the coffee bar between lectures, her enthusiasm and belief in what she was researching or teaching was always easy to see. Such a tragic waste of someone so talented and caring. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, her legacy will live on through the students she taught, we can only be grateful that we were priviledged enough to know and learn from Helen.
Becky Watson
Monday 11th of June 2007 6:23 PM, Stafford
Always a great friend who was always willing to help and offer sincere advice, she was unique in getting people together and helping to establish friendships. She was very proud of Sebastian and our thougths are with him
Juan and Tanja
Monday 11th of June 2007 5:51 PM, Cardiff
I remember Helen well from her undergraduate student days in Portsmouth - she made a quick impression on me and her other teachers as someone who was going places - vivacious beauty combined with serious intelligence. I was pleased to note her upward career path in subsequent years as she established herself as a 'serious' academic economist. I am shocked and saddened that she should have had such an untimely ending to her life and send my deep condolences to family and friends on their loss.
Saxon Brettell
Monday 11th of June 2007 2:44 PM, Cambridge Econometrics
Rare indeed are those who are committed to social justice and the use of rigorous techniques to promote it. Even rarer are beautiful, kind, funny bikers. The chances of both in the same package must be miniscule. What a loss!
John Treble
John Treble
Monday 11th of June 2007 12:28 PM, Swansea
I remember Helen well from her undergaduate days at Portsmouth where I was her Personal Tutor. She was a gifted and hardworking student who went on to become a very effective researcher and teacher of economics. Her untimely death is a sad loss to the economics community and all her many friends.
Guy Judge
Monday 11th of June 2007 11:19 AM, University of Portsmouth
Helen was so kind and helpful to me as a researcher working outside academia, and was always a source of inspiration and support. I will miss her greatly. My condolences to all her colleagues, friends and family.
Victoria Winckler
Monday 11th of June 2007 11:18 AM, The Bevan Foundation
A tragic loss to Economics and all who knew Helen. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Bruce Morley
Monday 11th of June 2007 10:29 AM, Bath
Sincere condolences to the family. Helen will be sadly missed.
Mel Poyser
Monday 11th of June 2007 10:17 AM, Cardiff Business School
A tragic loss. My thoughts are with Helen's family at this tragic time.
Roger Clarke
Monday 11th of June 2007 10:14 AM, Cardiff Business School
A summer resolution from Helen
Be positive. Set high standards. Try something new. Do more and see more.
Gerry Makepeace
Monday 11th of June 2007 9:46 AM, Cardiff Business School
A terrible loss to all of us in the UK Labour Economics Community. All our thoughts to Sebastian and Helen's family.
Jonathan Haskel
Monday 11th of June 2007 8:27 AM, Economics, Queen Mary, University of London
Helen was a close friend both to us and to our children. We, and they, miss her coming through our gate to start another adventure.
She was always unpredictable, loving and fun, and we loved that. We will miss her.
Our thoughts and sorrow are with Sebastian, always Helen's priority and love.
Bruce and Brita Webb
Monday 11th of June 2007 7:55 AM, Gower
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Helen's death. I will remember her as a fantastically supportive colleague, great friend and an excellent academic. My thoughts go to Baz and her family - Mel
Melanie Simms
Monday 11th of June 2007 7:03 AM, West Midlands, UK
I was very fond of Helen,I will miss her smile,mickey taking and the sparkle she had in her eyes.My life is richer having known such a person.I have many happy memories of our trips to Norway,Flat Holme and many other places.
Wish there was something I could say to ease the pain for her family and Baz especially.
Jethro Keenan
Monday 11th of June 2007 12:16 AM, Freind and Fellow Motorcyclist
A huge loss to labour economics, in this country and beyond. My deepest sympathies to her family, especially Sebastian, at this very sad time.
John Sessions
Sunday 10th of June 2007 11:40 PM, University of Bath
She was fascinated by unobserved heterogeneity.
She was passionate as hell about honesty.
She was all kindness and heart.
So often she saw what I missed.
She lived life to the very limit with so much passion and energy.
I still shudder at her plunging into icy lake in February.
She loved a challenge and I hate her need for speed.
I will miss her striding up the mountain.
I will miss her zooming away from me on her bike.
I will miss her giggling down the phone.
Peter Dolton
Sunday 10th of June 2007 5:16 PM, London
I was lucky enough to share a room with Helen when I was an HRM researcher at CARBS in the late 90s. She had searing intelligence but bags of generosity, humour and humility. As a fellow campaigner in the PhD completion stakes, she offered great support and a lot of what I called “poncy tea solutions” to my frequent bouts of stress. Helen was a great action girl, and she was always diving or hillwalking or doing something else to makes us all look lazy. She had her priorities right. I know plenty of economists who combine rigour with compassion but Helen probably was the antithesis of the dismal scientist. She was compassionate and concerned without being woolly and her work in labour economics reflects that. She was devoted to her son Sebastian and my thoughts really to go to him and to her extended family. You can see in the comments from students and staff Helen was respected and loved she was an inspirational person who lived more in less than half a life than most of us could hope to do in our full allotted span. She’ll be achingly missed.
John McGurk
Sunday 10th of June 2007 2:09 PM, British Air Line Pilots Association
As a former economics student at CARBS, I fondly remember Helen as a kind and helpful person who displayed great passion for her subject. I can once remember getting an important piece of work quite wrong, yet she took the time and effort to sit down and explain it to me in detail…..she taught me to think about economics like a true economist.
Always there to help with such a great personality and manner, she’ll be sorely missed.
Alex Williams
Sunday 10th of June 2007 11:38 AM, London
I am deeply saddened and shocked to hear this tragic news. I read many good papers Halen wrote on labour issues. Students, teachers and researchers will miss Halen for many years to come. My thought is with the bevered family. As I also lost by brother Dr. Bijnan Acharya in a tragic helicopter crash in Nepal, I know the feelings how severe they are. May the god provide enough strength to Helen's family to bear this immeasurable pain and her soul rest in peace.
Sanjaya Acharya
Friday 8th of June 2007 9:45 PM, Hokkaido University, Japan
I spoke with Helen only occasionally at coffee breaks. That's what email has done to colleagues in academia (and elsewhere). I admired the enthusiasm with which she approached everything she did. She often came to coffee with her favourite mug bearing the inscription "The dismal scientist" (an 'in-crowd' joke). What more of an antithet could there possibly be!?
My condolences to all those who hold Helen close to their hearts.
Gerald Harbour
Friday 8th of June 2007 3:35 PM, CARBS
I have known Helen ever since our paths crossed at Bristol University. Obviously I should have kept in touch more often because you never know when somebody will no longer be there. Helen was one of the most positive people I've ever met, and she will leave a very large gap to fill.
Peter Scott
Friday 8th of June 2007 3:01 PM, University of Portsmouth
Helen will be sadly missed in the economics profession - she was an outstanding academic as well as great fun to be with. She was always a "free spirit" and that gave her a sense of balance about life. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Professor Andrew Henley
Friday 8th of June 2007 2:20 PM, Swansea University
Sad to lose such an inspiring role model and beautiful person
Debbie Foster
Friday 8th of June 2007 1:43 PM, CARBS
Helen's vibrant personality will be very sadly missed among the 'Labour Economics' community within the UK, and beyond. My condolences to her family.
John Sutherland
Friday 8th of June 2007 1:36 PM, Leeds Metropolitan University
I was so sorry to hear about Helen. She was such a wonderful person who brightened the lives of all who were lucky enough to know her, I know that I am going to miss her hugely.
Gareth Bond
Gareth Bond
Friday 8th of June 2007 1:27 PM, South Wales
Helen taught me in my second year, and this was somewhat of a turning point for me. She taught me to believe in myself, my ideas, and not to settle for second best. She once told the class 'you all more intelligent than me; I know the answers only from experience'.
Later as a Masters student, Helen would still stop and have a chat and continued to offer me good advice.
I know I will continue to learn from Helen's optimism, serenity and attitude fo life.
Michael Hatcher
Friday 8th of June 2007 12:21 PM, Cardiff
I am extremy sorry to hear this tragic news. The UK Labour Economics is a small community and Helen was well known to us all. My condolences to all her family.
DEREK LESLIE
Friday 8th of June 2007 12:18 PM, Manchester Metropolitan University
i remember Helen at a recent EALE conference - portugal i think - telling me how mad i was going straight back to the UK. she was about to head off into the wilds and 'make the most of it'. she always did and i'll miss her.
alex bryson
Friday 8th of June 2007 12:01 PM, policy studies institute
Very saddened by the loss of Helen. She was a vibrant person and an excellent economist. Although, I will be unable to attend the funeral my thoughts on the day will be with her family and friends.
Philip Murphy
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:57 AM, University of Swansea
My memories of Helen go back to the EMRU days of the labour study group. Helen was always an enthusisatic and committed participant, quite prepared to take on the macho males at the annual football match; and give a good account of herself in conference debates. I was very shocked to hear this news. Helen will be remembered with much affection, and I would like to send my sympathy to her family and friends.
Alan Carruth
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:54 AM, University of Kent
Helen had that wonderful quality to be extremely serious about her work, but relaxed in her personal dealings with all who came into her life. I'll always remember her paper to the Friday workshop of the Economics Section, which had a reputation for giving presenters, especially labour economists, a hard time. Her title, taken from a Jimi Hendrix song, rattled a few cages even before she started, but Helen presented a carefully-developed paper in a very engaging manner. Even those most critical of the approach of labour economists and the world-view underpinning the paper were at least prepared to give Helen the benefit of the doubt. This was in stark contrast to their approach to a paper by Bob McNabb and I a few weeks earlier!
Helen will be sorely missed at the School and my thoughts go to her family and close friends at this extremely difficult time
Keith
Keith Whitfield
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:54 AM, CARBS
Helen was a good friend and will be sorely missed. We last met at a seminar on low pay in Cardiff in March. It was only a few weeks ago that I came across some photos that we had taken on a trip to White Hart Lane about 6 years ago.
Our thoughts are with Sebastian and we send our condolences to the family.
Tim, Karen, Loren and Tom
Tim Butcher
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:48 AM, Colchester
I am extremy sorry to hear this tragic news. The UK Labour Economics is a small community and Helen was well known to us all. My condolences to all her family.
DEREK LESLIE
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:40 AM, Manchester Metropolitan University
Helen's work on low pay was invaluable when I was overviewing for the DTI the impact of the Labour Governments employment polices. It so tragic and hard to image that we will not be seeing more of such outstanding work. I hope it will inspire others to continue to maintain the issue of gender in the labour market as a high priority for scarce resources.
Prof Stephen Wood
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:37 AM, University of Sheffield
I presented papers on the same platform as Helen on a number of occasions.She was an excellent labour economist with a delightful personality.I am sure she will be sadly missed by everyone
Peter Sloane
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:29 AM, Swansea University
She was one of the most passionate teachers among the lecturers. Although we disagreed on practically everything we got on really well and once she gave a lift to the train station when I had my over full suitcase.
Swithun Dobson
Friday 8th of June 2007 11:06 AM, Cardiff
We will really miss Helen. She was such a happy, generous, outgoing person and a good friend. We have been remembering the happy times we spent with her. At a recent wedding she dragged us on to the empty dance floor. Though she wasn't impressed with our dancing we all had a good time.
We are sorry to lose such a friend and our thoughts are with Sebastian and the rest of her family.
David and Mai
Friday 8th of June 2007 10:09 AM, CARBS
It is very shocking to hear about Helen. She was a great person. I send my condolences to Helen's family. May God bless her soul.
Jilan Shah
Thursday 7th of June 2007 8:00 PM
Helen was a truly special person and I will miss her dreadfully. Her kindness, generosity and joy were always a source of inspiration. I send my deepest condolences to Sebastian and the rest of the family.
Laurian Lungu
Thursday 7th of June 2007 7:20 PM
The idea of Helen no longer being with us is almost impossible to comprehend. She was a lovely colleague who will be greatly missed.
My thoughts are with her family and friends.
Howard Mellett
Thursday 7th of June 2007 5:25 PM, Cardiff Business School
Helen was very friendly and always smiling. The last time I met here was before I went home to Iceland. She contacted me and wanted to give me a book about Wales, before I left. She told me that she had been given a gift when she was finishing her PhD, at that time, and that she wanted to keep such a custom a life.
Helen was a great person; she always had a time for a short chat and showed an interest in what was happening in other people’s lives. I send my deepest condolences to her family.
Valdimar Sigurdsson
Thursday 7th of June 2007 5:23 PM, Cardiff Business School
I'm sorry I didn't know her well, but she will clearly be sorely missed here at the school. Thinking of Helen's family and loved ones.
Ben Waller
Thursday 7th of June 2007 4:35 PM, Cardiff Business School
My thoughts and prayers are with Helen's family and loved ones. This is an awful loss. Helen was very special.
Jane Bryan
Thursday 7th of June 2007 3:27 PM, Cardiff Business School
Helen had a smile that would light up a corridor, a sense of fun that belied the reputation of economics as "the dismal science" and a mind like a razor. We are all diminished by her passing - and I can only hope that her family will be able, eventually, to come to terms with this dreadful loss.
Barry Morse
Thursday 7th of June 2007 11:53 AM, Cardiff Business School
My sincere sympathy to Helen's family at this time. I remember Helen as a warm and friendly person when we met at conferences. She was always ready for the football match or whatever social activity was planned.
Olive Sweetman
Thursday 7th of June 2007 9:19 AM, NUI Maynooth, Ireland
My deepest sympathy to Helen's family. I always enjoyed seeing Helen. Although, sadly, I did not get to know her well, I do remember her smile and her kindness.
Beth Green
Thursday 7th of June 2007 6:14 AM, CARBS
We last met Helen in Prague in September at the EALE Conference. Bumping into her in the street, late one evening, we went out for a drink. She talked happily of how she had spent her day, not visiting the usual tourist destinations, but going to an old style municipal swimming pool in the suburbs so as to experience a real taste of Czech life. This encapsulated her highly independent and original approach to life. We shall miss that enormously, but will miss even more her warm and generous friendship.
Sarah Brown and Tim Buck
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 7:23 PM
My deepest sympathy to her family for this great loss. Her presence in this world was a blessing.
-yusniza-
Yusniza Kamarulzaman
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 7:01 PM, Cardiff Business School
Great shock. Helen was good fun and we will all genuinely miss her. Sincere condolences to her family.
Paul Nieuwenhuis
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 6:25 PM, Cardiff Business School
Helen was truly inspirational as a person, a colleague and a friend and I will never ever forget her warmth, her sense of fun, her acts of kindness and most of all, her laughter. I feel privileged to have known her and to have called her my friend.
Gill Bristow
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 4:30 PM, CPLAN, Cardiff University
helen was quite simply a lovely lady and a great fun colleague....helen will be missed by everyone who knew her particularly her family.
i am saddened by such a loss.
john pallister
john pallister
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 3:57 PM, carbs
Helen was a great personal tutor, lecturer and friend. She always gave such honest advice and would do everything she could to help her students. For that I cannot thank her enough.
My sympathies to her family.
Hina Naeem
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 1:42 PM, CARBS
A lovely colleague during my time at Cardiff.
Nigel Driffield
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 1:34 PM, Aston Business School
Helen will be sadly missed, and our sincere condolences go to her family.
John & Tasia Bridge
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 1:32 PM, CARBS
Helen always friendly always cheerful, a very great loss and considerable sadness and sympathies to her family
John Salmon
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 12:38 PM, HRM section
One of the loveliest people in the world. You will be very missed by many, many people.
Carolyn Strong
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 12:30 PM, University of Bath
I always found Helen a delightful colleague, and often thought that life would be a lot easier if we could all take her cheerful commonsense approach to matters. She will be much missed here in CARBS. My sympathies to her family in the face of this awful tragedy.
Laurence Copeland
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 12:11 PM, CARBS
Great colleague, great girl, great loss.
You will be sorely missed.
Jonathan Morris
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 12:08 PM, Cardiff Business School
I have no words that can truly express my shock and sadness, and can only say that dear, dear Helen, you will be missed.
Jean Jenkins
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 11:29 AM, CARBS (HRM Section)
My sincere sympathy to her family.
Penny Smith
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 10:10 AM, CARBS
Every time I saw Helen she was smiling.
She was a wonderful person.
Rosemary Smith
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 10:03 AM, Q01 Aberconway Building
Helen always had a kind word for everyone and a smile on her face. She will be sadly missed by us all and my heartfelt condolences are with her family.
Michelle Stevenson
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 9:44 AM, Cardiff Business School
Helen welcomed me in my first few months here at Cardiff, helping with all sorts. A kind, compasionate lady who will certainly be missed. Our hearts are with you.
Katy Huxley
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 9:14 AM, Business School
I will miss Helen cycling past me in the evening. Thing of the family.
Love
Anne & Tim Derrick
Timothy Derrick
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 9:12 AM, CARBS
Helen was a lovely lady who always had a smile and time for everyone. She will be sadly missed at the Business School. My sincere sympathy to her son and family.
Jan Richards
Jan Richards
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 9:05 AM, Cardiff Business School
We are deeply pained to hear this news.Helen was a lovely colleague and friend when we were at Cardiff.We send our deepest condolences.
Naveen Srinivasan & Vidya
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 5:45 AM, IGIDR, Mumbai, India
Dear Helen I and the rest of us in the economics section will miss you dreadfully. Such a great colleague, such a teacher, so conscientious with committees, and a fine researcher too. How you fitted it all in was always a mystery. Rosie and I will miss a dear friend. We send our deepest condolences to Sebastian, your parents and the rest of the family,
Patrick
Patrick Minford
Wednesday 6th of June 2007 12:47 AM, Carbs Econ section
Helen was a lovely colleague and friend. I will cherish the friendship plant that Helen gave me a couple of years ago, it is doing very well. I am so sad that I did not have the time to get to know her more closely - we were planning to have lunch together in the near future. My sincere sympathy to her family and friends.
Jill Solomon
Tuesday 5th of June 2007 6:26 PM, CARBS
I am deeply saddened by the news of Helen's untimely death. She was a friend of great insight and personality, and her death is a great loss for the economics profession. My deepest condolences to Helen's family, friends, and colleagues. We all have lost a great friend.
In my career in CARBS Economics section, I found that Helen was among the most kind and supportive colleagues.
She was a good person, and I will miss her.
May she rest in peace.
Sheikh Selim
Tuesday 5th of June 2007 5:22 PM, CARBS
Helen, You and your smile will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace. My heartiest condolences go to your family.
Jason Zezhong Xiao
Tuesday 5th of June 2007 5:07 PM, Berkeley
You were among those very few whom I knew in my short career at CARBS. You were extrmely kind and compassonate. YOU will always be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family and specially your son.
GOOD BYE DEAR HELEN. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE...
Kul B Luintel
Tuesday 5th of June 2007 4:59 PM, Economics Division, CARBS
Dear Helen,
We never spoke to each other, but whenever I passed by you in the corridors of the business school you greeted me with a smile full of life, love and kindness. While I am writing these words, your kind, beautiful and innocent face is in my eyes and I am sure that God’s kind hands are taking good care of you.
The way you left this world made me feel that life is such an unpredictable thing. Everyday we are consumed with the worries of tomorrow, coming weeks and month...months that we are not sure of seeing. We leave office everyday preoccupied with the thoughts of what are we going to do tomorrow...and by doing all this we miss the beautiful today that we have in our hands. We forget to enjoy our present, which is a ‘present’ from God. I have started trying, living each day and enjoying what I have today. I also tried to tell the people that I love and care about my feelings. Because I thought I don’t know if life will give me another chance.
For your family, I want to pass my heartfelt condolence on your physical loss. But I am sure you will always be in their lives... to protect and guide your son, although not in physical but in spiritual way. Whenever I feel low I look for my grandfather as a star in the horizon and my heart is filled with peace and comfort. We can physically leave the lives of those we love...but our spirits and hearts always stay with them.
My best thought, prayers and wishes for you...I know you must be in good care.
Love
Shumaila
Dr. Shumaila Yousafzai
Tuesday 5th of June 2007 4:48 PM, Cardiff Business School
Helen taught me in my first year, but she really inspired me when my life took a u turn in my final year by showing what people can do in certain situations. A real shock and my prayers are with her family and particularly her son. Ruth
Ruth Davis
Tuesday 5th of June 2007 3:06 PM, Fareham