Helen Walker

HELEN Ernestine Constance Walker was born in England on July 1, 1943 and for most of her childhood and adult working life that was where she lived. 

Her heart, however, was rooted in Co. Down and she spent most of her holidays in the Killinchy and Whiterock areas. She loved helping on her uncle’s farm, sailing on Strangford Lough and fishing with one of her uncles. 

It was to Co Down that she finally retired in 2008 and spent her remaining years in Crossgar until her passing on March 4.

Helen was educated at a number of different schools as her mother, a school bursar, moved about England. She graduated from secretarial college and began a career in local government administration including working in some local hospitals in the West Midlands. She retired from an administrative post in Birmingham City Council in 2007 and came to live in Northern Ireland

Helen had three great loves — cats, cars and choirs. She sang with Birmingham Festival Choral Society among others and when she came to Crossgar she was persuaded to join Down Cathedral Choir. She retained her glorious soprano voice up until the time that her illness prevented her from attending. She will be sadly missed by all the choir members and her many friends at Down Cathedral.