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7 September 1947 – 10 July 2021
More than 200 people from many walks of life gathered in Warkworth on July 13 to celebrate the life of dedicated community volunteer Helen Langdon.
Described as a ‘people person’, Helen was a member of the Sandspit Residents and Ratepayers Association (SRRA), Sandspit SOS Inc (SOSSI), Snells Beach Community Church, Warkworth SeniorNet, the Warkworth branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists and Warkworth Museum. She gave time equally to the committees and members of each.
Helen was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and attended Dalkeith High School. She grew up with three younger sisters to whom she was known as “Missy Bossy”. She was a prefect at her school, attained the Queen’s Award and the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
A brave decision to go to New Zealand in 1973 meant getting on a plane for only the second time in her life. She planned to return to Scotland after two years, but marriage to Brian in 1974 changed all that. The couple lived on Auckland’s North Shore before moving to Sandspit in 2004. Auckland’s loss was Sandspit’s gain – Helen immediately put her skills to use as secretary to the SRRA, a position she held for six years. She then served on the SSOSI committee for nine years and continued to support wetland restoration planting days.
Helen typed up the monthly church rosters and always filled in any empty spaces with her name. Faith and a congregation of friends was very important to her, having been part of a church family most of her life. As leader of the church hospitality group, she was responsible for functions that were popular, well-attended and profitable.
As a museum volunteer, Helen enthusiastically arranged exhibits to show visitors, especially children, what life was like in early Warkworth. In charge of reception, she would greet all visitors with a welcoming smile and a wealth of knowledge.
Helen also had exceptional organisational and technological skills. For more than four years she was the editor of SeniorNet’s weekly e-letter. She was very proud of her Scottish heritage and, with an interest in genealogical research over many years, was a committee member and then convener for the last four years of the Warkworth genealogy group.
Described as a person who made a big difference in many people’s lives, Helen was always ready to help and to go the extra mile. She was a good friend and her great sense of humour and smile touched all who met her.
Helen died on July 10 after a short illness. She was 73. She is survived by her husband, two children and six grandchildren.
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