It is with great sadness that the family of Helen Josephine Walsh (nee Woodrow) of St. John's formally of Bay de Verde announce her passing on February 4, 2016. Helen was predeceased by her husband John Joseph Walsh, her sisters Sister Monica Woodrow, Mary Fortune, Alice Keough, and Bernadette Kilfoy and her stepbrother Jeremiah Woodrow, her parents John and Veronica. Helen will be sadly missed by her seven children: Veronica (Kevin), Francis (Janice), Gary, Helen, Marie (Eric), Jacqueline (Kevin) and Marylou (Dan). Also leaving to mourn are her eleven grandchildren Melissa, Shawn, Andrew, Ashley, Emily, Jason, Kyle, Benjamin, Luke, Liam, Peter and two great-grandchildren Logan and Dean. She will be fondly missed by many friends, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Helen had a large family and was the rock and glue that kept us grounded. We were all blessed to have known her. She was a beautiful and caring person who saw no fault in anyone that came in contact with her. She was married for 60 years to John Walsh who was well known around the city of St. John's as the demolition man, or the man who torn down most of old St. John's. Let it not be said that wherever there is a great man there is an equally great woman by his side. While Helen didn't work directly in the business, she worked endlessly behind the scenes. Helen was known for her strong spiritual faith, and it is the belief that prayers said from Helen could cure all miracles as these prayers were of the purest kind. Her most devoted passion was for her children and grandchildren whom she loved fearlessly. Helen also loved and enjoyed walking outdoors and many times, you would see her hike up Signal Hill, the Battery or Quidi Vidi Pond. She also had a love for Irish and Newfoundland music. A special thank you for the staff at St. Patrick's Mercy Home, Health Science Complex and St. Clare's Hospital who provided exceptional care and respect to our mother and the family in their time of need. A celebration of Helen's life and visitation will take place at Caul's Funeral Lemarchant Road, on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. Cremation to follow. Inurnment will take place from Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Topsail Road the following day. To send a message of condolence or to sign the memorial guest book, please visit www.cauls.com. Flowers graciously accepted or Donations to the Diabetes Association or to the Canadian Cancer Society, in her memory, would be appreciated.

"We had a wonderful mother,
One who never really grew old;
Her smile was made of sunshine, And her heart was solid gold;
Her eyes were as bright as shining stars,
And in her cheeks fair roses you see.
We had a wonderful mother,
And that' s the way it will always be.
But take heed, because she's still keeping an eye on all of us,
So let's make sure she will like what she sees."