It’s with a heavy heart that am now telling you that my dearest Helvi has passed away on the 29th of October at 6pm. The next day was going to be our wedding anniversary! We married in 1965.
She blew her last breaths on our bed and at home. A few day before she was begging me to get her out of the hospital. We shared our most loving moments declaring our undying love for each other.
Those last few days will for sure sustain me for the rest of my life. They are now a a beautiful garden of memories. Helvi was always good at gardening.
.
Gerard
Oosterman Treats Blog 
October 30, 2019 at 10:31 pm |
Oh no, Gerard, I am so very sorry about your dear sweet Helvi. I am in shock. The love of your life, so sweet, and so talented and filled with a zest for life. It is not fair, dear God. I know that memories will sustain. Sending warm thoughts.
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October 31, 2019 at 9:53 pm |
It wasn’t fair. She did not deserve the suffering towards the end.
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October 30, 2019 at 10:31 pm |
My deepest, deepest sympathy, Gerard…
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October 31, 2019 at 9:54 pm |
Thank you, Jo. She thought highly of you.
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October 30, 2019 at 10:37 pm |
Oh, Gerard, our hearts break, along with yours. You had a very special woman in your Helvi. May you find some solace in the loving memories of her and your life together.
Your news was like a blow to my soul, you must be devastated. Love to you and Milo.
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October 31, 2019 at 9:55 pm |
She was special, Yvonne. She knew no malice. Thank you.
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October 30, 2019 at 10:44 pm |
Oh, no, Gerard! 😦 I am so very very very sorry to hear this. I am so shocked and saddened. I can’t even imagine how devastated you are . 😦
Beautiful Helvi! I know you will miss her every moment of every day. I hope you can find peace in the beautiful memories you shared with her over the amazing 54+ years you lived and loved.
She will always be with you in heart, mind, and spirit.
(((HUGS))) and ❤ to you
PATS and ❤ to little Milo
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October 31, 2019 at 9:56 pm |
Thank you. Milo keeps looking at our bedroom door expecting Helvi to come out.
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November 1, 2019 at 6:59 am
😦 Aw, poor little Milo. 😦 Give him some gentle rubs and pats from me and Cooper.
Is there anything we can do to help you, Gerard?
Please know that you are in our hearts and thoughts.
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October 30, 2019 at 10:59 pm |
Dear Gerard,
I am so very sorry to read this. I send you love along with my deepest condolences.
Julia
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October 31, 2019 at 9:57 pm |
Thank you, Julia.
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October 30, 2019 at 11:32 pm |
Dear Gerard, I haven’t ‘known’ you long, but I have so enjoyed reading about the life you shared with Helvi, and I am so very shocked and sorry to read this devastating post.
I am sending you the warmest thoughts at this sad time and I hope that your wonderful memories will help to sustain you. Jane
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October 31, 2019 at 9:59 pm |
Thank you, Jane. I will always treasure the memories. She gave so much.
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October 30, 2019 at 11:41 pm |
Dearest Gerard,
the suddenness of Helvi’s passing came as a great shock to us. Please accept our deepest condolences. Uta and I, we still can’t believe it. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Peter and Uta
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October 31, 2019 at 10:04 pm |
The botched-up operation on her broken arms, the Herceptin treatment gave her heart failure. Yet, her generous heart was the best part of Helvi.
Thank you Peter and Uta.
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October 31, 2019 at 10:12 pm
Helvi set the gold standard for a life well lived. She will remain in our hearts forever, Gez.
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October 30, 2019 at 11:45 pm |
Dearest Gez
Please accept our deepest condolences.
No words.
Love from Emm and FM.
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October 31, 2019 at 10:04 pm |
Thank you, Emm and FM.
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October 31, 2019 at 12:20 am |
Dear Gerard, Helvi’s idyllic garden at Rivendell helped inspire my love of gardening. She also inspired me as a woman and I feel lucky I got to meet her. To me she seemed to possess such a unique blend of composure, passion, intelligence, kindness, warmth, contemplation and strength. The kindness you both showed to a lonely young pregnant woman tucked up in the bush around the riverbend is something I always hold dear. Thinking of you, your family and Milo, Angela de Groote.
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October 31, 2019 at 10:09 pm |
Those 14 years on the farm at Rivendell were wonderful years. We often dwelled on that period and remembered you and John with great fondness. Our three grandsons will forever remember ‘life on the farm’. with Oma and Opa.
Helvi was such a special woman. You are so right. Thank you Angela.
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October 31, 2019 at 1:15 am |
Sadness overcomes me Gerard at this terrible news. Love from Hung and Tutu.
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November 1, 2019 at 2:58 am |
You made her laugh, Hung. She thought you were very funny.
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October 31, 2019 at 1:34 am |
I can’t keep away the tears, Gerard. I’m so sorry. I’m sending great love with my condolences — there just are no words.
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November 1, 2019 at 2:59 am |
Thank you, Linda. Helvi was also so fond of nature.
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October 31, 2019 at 1:51 am |
I am so sorry, my deepest sympathy
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November 1, 2019 at 3:00 am |
Thank you, Robert.
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October 31, 2019 at 2:43 am |
Oh Gez, I’m deeply upset to hear this news. My deepest sympathy. Algy.
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November 1, 2019 at 3:00 am |
She liked you and what you stood for, Algy. Thank you.
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October 31, 2019 at 7:42 am |
Sending you love and deepest sympathy from across the world, dear Gerard. I’m so very sorry.
Jenny
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November 1, 2019 at 3:01 am |
Thank you, Jenny.
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October 31, 2019 at 7:47 am |
Gerard, so sorry to hear this.
Love from ark and Bernadette.
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November 1, 2019 at 3:03 am |
She liked both of you very much and liked your quirky sense of humour very much.
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October 31, 2019 at 8:34 am |
I am so so so sorry to read of Helvi’s passing, i have been following your blog for a few years now and she was very much part of you and the blog. Her passing leaves a great void even though I never met her. May she rest in peace. may you have plenty of support from friends and family in the day to come.
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November 1, 2019 at 3:04 am |
Yes, Helvi always asked me what your replies were, also liked your poetry. Thank you.
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November 1, 2019 at 4:19 am
Thank you. Nice to hear of her interest in my poetry. thinking of you – for what that may be worth.
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October 31, 2019 at 11:14 am |
I know words do not fill the void which you feel right now, but know that I am here, should you wish to talk.
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November 1, 2019 at 3:05 am |
Thank you for your kindness.
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October 31, 2019 at 6:24 pm |
Gerard, I’m so terribly sorry. My thoughts are with you.
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November 1, 2019 at 3:06 am |
Thank you, Stuart. She was on your side when it came to the critique of the terrible US political scene. The terminal materialism of it all.
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October 31, 2019 at 10:00 pm |
Dear Gerard, so sorry to hear this. I know how much you love Helvi.
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November 1, 2019 at 3:07 am |
Thank you Viv. Cancer really is terrible.
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November 1, 2019 at 10:01 pm |
I have just read your post and was so pleased that you and Helvi spent the last few days at home together. Thank you for sharing this special journey together and I’m sure you’ll continue to feel her presence. Surrounding you in white light and love, Barbara
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November 7, 2019 at 3:42 am |
Thank you, Barbara. The funeral was yesterday and it was a good one. Sadness and joy all at the same time. We had a good life together with all the ups and downs that life entails. Helvi was my best friend.
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November 1, 2019 at 10:10 pm |
Oh Gerard,.I am so sorry to read of Helvi’s passing. My thoughts are with you at this sad time Warm regards,.Jan
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November 7, 2019 at 3:43 am |
Thank you, Jan.
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November 2, 2019 at 2:06 pm |
That is such sad news. I am very sorry to read that Helvi is no longer here, though forever in your heart. My very deepest sympathy, Gerard.
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November 7, 2019 at 3:44 am |
Thank you so much, These are difficult times.
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November 3, 2019 at 8:11 pm |
So sad to hear this horrible news, Gerard! I wish you sterkte!
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November 7, 2019 at 3:45 am |
Yes, thank you, Elisabeth ‘sterkte’ will hopefully stand me by.
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November 3, 2019 at 8:34 pm |
Oh Gerard, I am so sorry to read this beautiful horrible words. I can’t even imagine how you get through each day with this enormous hole in your heart. A virtual hug is no enough.
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November 7, 2019 at 3:47 am |
Yes, it is difficult and I try and remain busy, perhaps in an effort to escape the aching silence of our house.
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November 7, 2019 at 3:51 am
Oh Gerard, I know that difficult is the understatement of the century. I think busyness is perhaps the best possible coping tool. 💔❣️
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November 6, 2019 at 12:38 pm |
Still here for you Gerard…
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November 7, 2019 at 3:47 am |
Thank you, Jo.
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November 6, 2019 at 10:53 pm |
Yes, we just want you to remember we are still here with love, condolences, and (((hugs))) for you, Gerard. So many people care about you.
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November 7, 2019 at 3:49 am |
Thank you. I miss Helvi terribly. It is hard but I keep busy. Helvi would want me to remain active.
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November 7, 2019 at 7:21 am
😦 😦 😦
I can’t even imagine how difficult and painful it is, Gerard.
But, yes, she would want you to remain active.
(((HUGS)))
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November 7, 2019 at 10:25 pm |
Oh Gerard, I’m so sad for you. You have been such a loving couple and told us all so much about your darling Helvi, that she is very real to us still. Please accept hugs, sympathy and warmth from me although they have to travel across oceans to reach you.
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November 15, 2019 at 3:03 pm |
Reblogged this on Journey Chronicle in Letters and Science.
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November 26, 2019 at 2:45 am |
I am sorry for your loss.
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December 3, 2019 at 3:48 am |
Oh dear Gerard, I don’t know how I missed this post. So sad to hear of Helvi’s death but think it was wonderful that she could be at home with you. One of these days we must drive to Bowral and take you out for a meal.
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December 3, 2019 at 5:36 am |
It would have been so fair for us to have a few more years. She loved walking and was so fit and healthy. But the cancer and especially the treatment that went on too long, damaged her heart. A golden heart.
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December 3, 2019 at 10:21 am |
Such a beautiful description—a golden heart.
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December 6, 2019 at 5:15 pm |
I was very sorry to hear this, albeit late in the day.
(I have been out of circulation for a couple years).
You have made it clear what a wonderful woman Helvi was,
and remains with you in your mind.
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December 6, 2019 at 9:46 pm |
Thank you, Rod. It’s going to be hard without Helvi. But, I have the memories.
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