HELEN ELIZABETH SCHIELKE

Messages of Condolence

• I was lucky enough to have Helen as a manager at the BIRD charity for 12 years . She was the best boss I have ever had and also felt fortunate to have her friendship too. A lovely , caring, funny lady who is very much missed .

  Alison Buckley – 1st October 2025

• It was an honour and a pleasure to have you as my boss for 6 years. You left us far too soon.
  Rest easy Helen.

  Andy Cheers – 1st October 2025

• My family send our heartfelt condolences to all of Helen’s family. Not only did her work impact so much on our lives, but over the years of meetings and phone calls, I feel privileged to have called her a friend. I hope she knew how much she was loved and respected.

  Tracey Meadham – 1st October 2025

• 
  
  ⸻
  
  I was so very saddened to hear of Helen’s passing. It was a privilege to care for her over the past months, and I will always remember her kindness and strength. My thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. I am grateful to be able to continue supporting Tony, and I feel honoured that you have asked me to be part of the family group at Helen’s funeral
  With deepest sympathy
  Roni xxx

  Ronette Paynter – 1st October 2025

• My precious big sister, the only comfort I can find right now, is that you’re no longer in pain and suffering.
  It’s broken my heart to see all you’ve been through over the past few months, I just wanted to wave a magic wand and take it all away.
  I’m so proud of all you achieved, especially when you were with BIRD. It was more than just a job to you, it was part of you and you put your heart and soul into it. I know how you treasured the friendships you made along the way.
  Please walk beside me and I’ll make sure I look after Tony, Mum and Dad and Nell.
  Love you always xxx

  Lynn Millar – 1st October 2025

• My girls and I are so terribly sad to hear of Helen’s passing. A peaceful, quiet and unassuming neighbour, with Tony to us for almost ten years. Far too young to have left this life. Rest easy Helen xxx
  
  

  Alison Lessels – 1st October 2025

• I feel privileged to have had Helen as a friend for over 30 years. We have been through good and bad times together, laughed and cried but always been just a phone call away. I will miss you more than you will ever know. My sympathies go to all of your family especially Tony. I will keep you in my heart forever. Sleep well with no more suffering. All my love Jayne xxx
  
  

  Jayne Muspratt – 1st October 2025

• Helen was a very close friend for the last 18 years and I will miss her and our conversations so much. My sincere condolences to Tony, Helen’s family and friends. From David and Emma and family.

  David Holding – 2nd October 2025

• Helen was a very close friend for the last 18 years and I will miss her and our conversations so much. My sincere condolences to Tony, Helen’s family and friends. From David and Emma and family.

  David Holding – 3rd October 2025

• It is absolutely heartbreaking Helen is no longer with us.,
  My heartfelt condolences to dear husband
  Antony,dear sister Lynn and Lee.
  No parent should lose beloved daughter,heartfelt condolences to Margaret and Paul.
  Myself and my dear mum have known Helen since married to Antony and before,Antony mum and mine were both Italian friends,they lived close by.
  Helen is part of our family,close friend to me and my dear mother who I lost nearly 3 years ago.
  Helen came to see my dear mum,phoned my mum every evening . My dear mum eager for her phone calls.
  Helen was tremendous support to me when my dear husband was diagnosed with cancer,who I sadly lost to this dreadful diease,supported me throughout all different situations. I am forever grateful and thankful,to help me get through it. I supported Helen understanding and knowing her situation. It was heartbreaking to hear of Helen’s diagnosis,with Antony illness,and her dad. We helped each other.
  Even though I wasn’t close by,I wish I was to give a hand. We had emotional support,forever grateful. Want to thank Helen,for visiting my dear mum who last years of her life was housebound.
  Helen was always be remembered for her empathy,kindness,caring of others.
  We wish more Helen’s like her.
  Never be forgotten. Want to thank dear sister Lynn and Lee for all support and caring given to Helen,Antony, their mum and dad.
  When I was caring myself it takes some doing. Need to be that special person.
  Our lives will never be same. But we need to treasure those wonderful memories of Helen we all hold dear in our hearts.
  Give strength and courage for her family and friends in these coming days,weeks,months and years.
  Helen made it better place,through her devotion at work and home.
  We mustn’t forget Caring , Helen gave to Antony’s mum and dad.
  Rest in peace. Always in our hearts
  Rosanna.
  

  Rosanna Mcstein ❤️ 🙏 – 3rd October 2025

• I worked with Helen at Sainsbury’s. Helen was a dedicated staff member who took pride in everything that she did.My thoughts are with Tony and Helen’s family.I had the pleasure of attending Helen’s and Tony’s wedding such a lovely day. we will miss you Helen . xxx
  

  Elaine – 4th October 2025

• Heartfelt condolences to all Helen’s family.
  My daughter, Melyssa was a patient at BIRD from aged 5 to 8. She’s now 27.
  Helen was always positive, upbeat and supportive. She always went that extra mile especially @ fundraisers for this wonderful charity. We will never forget her warmth, support and bright personality.
  Much love to you, Helen

  Jane Davies – 6th October 2025

• I have known Helen both as a colleague and friend for thirty years.
  I know she at peace now, and my thoughts are with Tony, Helen’s parents, and Lynn and Lee at this sad time.

  Pat Wilding – 8th October 2025

• Helen was the one person in this close I could go to if I wanted information about almost anything. We often had conversations while I was gardening at the front and Nel got to know me as she knew I would make a fuss of her. Just before going into hospital Helen came to see me a couple of times and she told me all about the operations she was going to undergo so I knew how serious her illness was. She talked about her anxieties and fears. I miss her greatly and am so sorry she had to undergo all that pain.
  

  Christine Maher – 11th October 2025

• We are so very sorry that Helen is no longer with us. She was such a special person and would be in touch on a regular basis. The last message only days before she passed away to wish me a happy Birthday. Sending our thoughts and prayers to you Anthony & all Helen’s family.

  Maria & Len D’Amico – 15th October 2025

• Helen was one of those unique individuals who radiated kindness and cared deeply for others. Moreover, she was humble to the core, despite her incredible achievements with B.I.R.D.
  
  My late father, David McGlown, founded B.I.R.D in the 1980s and dedicated his life to helping those with brain injuries. But he wasn’t on his own and his accomplice-in-chief for 20 years was Helen. Her drive, ingenuity, passion, and dedication kept the charity going through many a trial and tribulation. It’s no exaggeration to say that Helen repeatedly saved the charity from going under. There were miracles in the treatment rooms and miracles in Helen’s office – equal in magnitude.
  
  Dad viewed Helen as his ‘work wife’. He respected her enormously and their friendship grew stronger with every new challenge. There were tears, smiles, and laughter along the way.
  
  After Dad’s passing, I got to know Helen personally as I became a Trustee of B.I.R.D. What a privilege! She was always patient and diplomatic with me, and gentle in her consideration of ideas.
  
  I know that B.I.R.D. took a lot out of Helen, especially in recent years. It was a great cruelty that she and Tony were denied time together in Helen’s retirement. But she is at peace now, heaven’s gates flung open, no doubt.
  
  My heartfelt condolences to Tony, Margaret, Paul, Lynn, Lee, and all who loved Helen.

  Martin McGlown – 15th October 2025

• I only knew Helen by being a supporter of the Bird Charity for many years . Helen was such a dedicated lady who helped many families. We really enjoyed listening to her Wonderful stories in Church how help had been given and made life better for so many people in need . It was a very sad day when she took time to write personally to me to say thank you for our support but she was the backbone of the Charity. May God Bless her family at this very sad time . Agnes Green Chester.

  Agnes Green – 16th October 2025

• Sending all our love to you Anthony & all of Helen’s family. We are going to miss you!

  Ida, Gerard & Lewis Barnes – 16th October 2025

• Sending you our thoughts & prayers Anthony & Helen’s Family. Helen was so very special & would keep our parents up to date with all things Rugby especially when Ireland were playing. May she rest in peace.

  Rosanna & Conor Shaw – 16th October 2025

• Callum was one of the first to be put on the program for Bird in Oldham. Helen was amazing with me and Callum. We spent many times with her and the rest of the staff and when Callum finished the program we carried on supporting them with the charity and ever since me and Helen have emailed each other for the past 15 years. She was a lovely lady with a heart of gold . She loved her job with a passion at the bird . A lovely lady who will be missed. My condolences to all her family. X

  Julie and Callum Morrison – 18th October 2025

• We live in the village of Eccleston and got to know Helen through the BIRD charity fundraising events. She was the backbone of the charity and helped so many families over the years through her work. She was a wonderful human being who worked tirelessly to help others. Our thoughts are with her family and close friends at this very sad time. May she RIP

  Roland and Moira Martland – 20th October 2025

• We were so sorry to see the sad news about Helen. Why is it always the good people ? Our thoughts will be with all of you on Friday. You can be very proud of Helen for the work she has done and Lynn for all her support during the difficult time you have had. Our love to all of you.

  Neville and Jean – 21st October 2025

• I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of looking after Helen’s hair for many, many years, we built more than a hairdressing friendship.. Helen would share lots of information for me on Italian holidays & fantastic recipes, that she would write down for me to try out, even brought in the right pasta that i had to use.. We have a fabulous soup recipe that my daughters are now making themselves.. Helen’s soup. Helen was very kind, very considerate & so caring, Helen will be so sadly missed, This is still very hard to believe..

  Lynne Brighouse – 23rd October 2025

• As BIRD’s accountant I had the pleasure of working with Helen for almost 20 years and was deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news. She was always a joy to work with and so passionate about BIRD. In some ways I always felt Helen was BIRD she was so dedicated to its cause. A lovely lady who cared for others and put them before herself I’m sure on many occasions. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

  Andrew Hopwood (and other Champion Accountant colleagues) – 23rd October 2025

• I was so lucky to have known Helen for 17 years. What began as a working relationship with my manager grew into a truly special friendship — one I will always treasure. She was the most gentle, thoughtful, and caring person, with such a genuine heart.
  Helen had a way of making everyone around her feel valued and at ease. She listened with kindness, led with quiet strength, and always found the right words to lift others up.
  It’s hard to put into words how much she’ll be missed. Her warmth and her gentle spirit will stay with me always. I’ll carry the memories of our time together with gratitude and love.
  Rest peacefully, my dear friend. You made such a difference, and your kindness will never be forgotten.

  Milka Zhelyazkova – 23rd October 2025

• I met Helen when I started working for BIRD in 2018. Having left behind a very difficult work situation Helen restored my confidence and belief in myself and in management with the kindness, respect and value she displayed towards me from the beginning. Helen grew to be more than just a manager with the care and interest she showed in me,not just as an employee, but as a friend.
  Helen’s diagnosis came as such a brutal shock. She was so honest about how scared she was but also so concerned about the impact on her family. Despite how much she was dealing with Helen still offered me sympathy and support with my own personal issues. I miss our daily messages and still can’t believe I won’t continue to have her friendship in my life. My only consolation is knowing that she is free from her constant worry and suffering.
  Rest now Helen.

  Catherine O’Sullivan – 23rd October 2025

• A former trustee with BIRD, Helen made me so welcome from my first meeting, providing all the information I needed whilst keeping it simple.
  She had such an amazing work ethic and put her heart and soul into BIRD.
  I feel so grateful and privileged for knowing her, she will be missed by so many people.
  RIP Helen, taken much too soon.
  David ♥️

  David Jamieson – 23rd October 2025

• Helen was my manager at BIRD for 8 years and during that time I saw her true dedication to BIRD and how hard she worked to ensure the charity could help as many people as possible, always going above and beyond. I was shocked and saddened to hear of the news. She has gone far too soon and should have enjoyed a long and happy retirement. Sending my deepest condolences to her family at this hard time.

  Laura Taylor – 24th October 2025

• BIRD were our work adopted charity for two years, and I got to know her very well, working on multiple fundraising events and activities together. She was extremely hard working, passionate and kind. She was lovely to work with and I will always cherish those times and the fun we had.

  Caroline da Cunha – 24th October 2025