By The Mcmeniman Family
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” — Maya Angelou
Those words could have been written for Helen McMeniman’s life. Her life was full of breathtaking moments.
How do we do justice to a life lived so large and a woman who grabbed life by both hands and lived each day with joy, gratitude, dignity and grace.
Helen was a woman ahead of her time, blazing a trail and setting an example for how to wring the best from every opportunity and moment from life and use it to live her best life. Helen was a force of nature, she never seemed to stop, living life at a pace that the rest of us could only hope to keep up with. Helen loved life and all that was in it.
Helen’s greatest joy in life was her family and treasured the happy times she had experienced with family from the time of her birth, to the time of her passing.
Born Helen Antoinette Sweeney, daughter of Dan and Stella Sweeney, on January 8 1942, Helen was embraced and loved as the eldest of three daughters. Helen and her sisters (Jan and Ruth) were raised in a loving home in Tenterfield. Her parents were cattle graziers, and as there were no sons, Helen became her father’s “land girl”. Riding on her pony “Bo-Peep “at the show, at the age of four, and helping to muster cattle with her father down on the Rocky. I remember Helen telling stories of going to the Rocky, where she would ride, swim and help with the cattle, living in a small hut, with no mod-cons. She recalled how, before she would head back to Tenterfield she would have to clan up and have her long hair restored to order- the stockmen would spend hours combing out the knots in her hair and plaiting it so she would return home in a respectable state. In 1960, Helen met Ray McMeniman (the love of her life) at a dance at the School of Arts, in Tenterfield. Ray was spellbound. Ray had to be patient though, and bide his time, while she travelled the world. Ray though, made sure he was there to meet her as she disembarked in Sydney, on her return to Sydney. Two years later they were married and they went to live at “Montvert” in Wallangarra. They were blessed with three sons- Richard, Andrew, and Jason. After their property was resumed by National Parks in 1983, Ray and Helen moved to Stanthorpe, having purchased Top of the Town Caravan Park. They ran this for twenty years, turning it from a run down, dodgy establishment to a highly successful, well run business. During this time, Ray and Helen welcomed two daughters-in-law and their grandchildren Simon, Alex, Daniel and Hannah. This was Helen’s greatest time. She loved being surrounded by family and spending time with her grandchildren- as the children were sitting with Helen two weeks ago, they talked about sitting up at the piano with Ma, singing along with her and banging on the piano as she played them songs- they even sang those songs to her at her bedside. The birthday hat, sitting on her coffin today, a symbol of her love of family and get togethers, was produced every birthday, which had to be worn ((sometimes reluctantly) by the birthday boy or girl. Helen loved it so much, it was hard to refuse to wear the hat- – but what precious memories. The most precious family get together was held earlier this year, when we came together, along with Jan, Ruth and Rob, to celebrate Helen’s 80th birthday. Helen was so happy and felt so loved, surrounded by those she loved most in the world. It was a beautiful day and one which we will remember with so much love and happiness.
Helen had a strong love of God and was a woman of strong faith. Her faith sustained her and carried her through all of her life’s most breathtaking moments- good and bad. At her 80th birthday celebrations she spoke of God walking with her on her journey through life, and when she needed it, carrying her through her most difficult moment. She spoke of her Lord carrying her through her heart attack in 2018, and an aneurysm a few moments later. Her faith sustained her and filled her with a spirit of love and generosity, which she shared every day. She worshipped on a daily basis. She loved going to mass and singing- both here with the choir and at Stella Maris at the Gold Coast, where they spent a lot of time at their apartment. Helen’s faith played a significant role in her life, as she participated in church activities including: being on the parish Council: as a special minister bringing Holy communion to the aged and the sick; and as a catechist in state schools. Her presence at church, both here and at Broadbeach, will be keenly missed.
I can’t speak about Helen’s life without mentioning her love of her friends. Helen made and kept many treasured friends. Many of those friendships enduring the test of time and lasting for most of her life. She loved any occasion where she could catch up, spend time with friends and share a meal or a drink. Helen’s gregarious nature ensured she was never short of an invitation, and she rarely declined an invitation to meet with her friends. Thanks to her travels over the years, Helen had friends in all corners of the globe. One of the first things she would share when returning from her travels, was the people she met and the friends she had made. Many hours were spent maintaining contact and every year, she would ensure her overseas friends would receive a yearly Xmas card and missive on the year’s happenings.
Travel was an important part of Helen’s world. During her life, she managed to travel to all continents of the world. Helen’s yearning to travel was first fulfilled at the age of 20, when she set sail for 6 week journey to London, to take up an appointment at Australia House. For a 20-year-old, in 1962, it was an unforgettable experience. The trip to London saw Helen suffer sea sickness in cyclonic seas near New Zealand, before experiencing the exotic port calls of Singapore, Aden, travelling through the Suez canal, visiting the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Egypt, numerous ports through the Mediterranean before arriving in London. Helen experiences in London were unforgettable, exploring London and even being invited to Buckingham Palace for garden parties. Helen told many stories of her adventures travelling around Europe and North America with her friends, travelling and camping in their tiny car, experiencing all manner of adventures. When Ray and Helen retired, they took the chance to travel both at home and abroad and shared many trips with family and friends. For a number of years, Helen and Ray were always wither heading off to see the world, or planning their next trip.
I don’t think anyone would ever be able to think of Helen and not remember her never boundless levels of energy. Helen appeared to have a never-ending supply of energy- she made the Energizer Bunny look lazy. She was a familiar sight on the tennis courts of Stanthorpe and Broadbeach, walking when the less energetic amongst us would chose to drive. She was a keen golfer for many years, playing in Stanthorpe Fixtures. At the time of her passing, Helen loved Tai Chi and would practice it several times a week when at the Coast. She was willing to have a go at any kind of physical activity and enjoyed the health benefits gained, as well the friendships she made from participation.
Helen was a woman of style. She could make a hessian sack look stylish. Helen was making vintage clothes a thing before it was even a trend. She was raised to dress and behave like a lady. Never was she seen without a slick of lipstick, or a welcoming smile. Helen always maintained that when she leaving the house, it was as if she was going on stage. I can remember when, following a tragic accident involving one of the caravan park residents, a camera crew arrived at the caravan park, looking for an interview. Before she stepped outside and in front of the cameras Helen made sure she had fresh lippy, freshly fluffed hair and her best smile ready.
She loved the ocean. As a child, she spent holidays with her family at Lennox Heads, staying in the family beach shack. Helen and Ray spent a large part of their retirement years at Broadbeach, by the ocean. Helen loved going to sleep the sound of the ocean, and waking to the sight and smell of the waves. I first came to appreciate how much she loved the ocean after a trip home from Sydney with her and Ray. Helen had insisted we travel home via the coast, and had planned to stop along the way to see the different beaches along the way. Little did Richard and I know that she meant EVERY. SINGLE. ACCESSIBLE. BEACH between Sydney and home. At first, we enjoyed hopping out, enjoying the beach view and travelling along to the next beach view. After 8 hours of travelling, and only getting as far as Port Macquarie, Richard and I had seen enough beaches to last a lifetime, while Helen was still enthusiastically anticipating the next ocean view. We so never so relieved as when we started to head inland the next day.
Helen was an active community member and was actively involved in both industry and community groups throughout her entire life. In the early days of her marriage, she was enjoyed participating in the Wallangarra community and became involved in church activities helping the nuns with the children; working at the state school teaching the children singing and verse speaking for eisteddfod preparation. She was co-ordinator of adult education at Tenterfield and was appointed to the state Board of NSW Adult Education. While owner of Top of Town Caravan Park, she was a delegate on the State Caravan parks board and served as president of State Caravan association. In Stanthorpe, she was a well-known fixture at the local Catholic Deb Ball, comparing many balls, both here in Stanthorpe and in Wallangarra. She was an active member of Probus and the Ladies LNP auxiliary, and served many committee roles, including that of president for both clubs.
On September 4, our lives changed forever following her passing. We were shocked to receive a call informing us that Helen had suffered a fall and a serious brain bleed, from which she never recovered. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her family. She leaves us devastated, but forever grateful to have been loved and touched by her boundless spirit and optimism. She leaves behind Ray, her soulmate and husband of 56 years, her sons Richard, Andrew and Jason and her grandchildren Simon, Alex, Dan and Hannah, her sisters Jan and Ruth and their families and her sister-in-law Fay.
We would like to offer our most heartfelt thanks and love to everyone who has reached out to us in the past weeks to offer their love and condolences. We have drawn strength from your love and the knowledge that Helen was held in such high regard, by so many people.
We take comfort, knowing she is now on her greatest adventure in Heaven, reunited with those she loved, who went before her.
