Helen McClenaghan OBE, 1943 - 2020

The volunteers at the Ulster New Zealand Trust are very saddened at the loss of Helen who volunteered with us for over 10 years.  Helen was such an energetic ball of activity and fun as well as a really hard-working volunteer.  Her indefatigable energy and assistance in the tea barn was quite something to watch.  She would tackle any job and bring a sense of humour to almost every situation and will be immensely missed for her cooking skills and complete willingness to supply pretty well anything she was asked from soup to cake and biscuits.  

 Paul Hewitt, Chairman of UNZT said “Helen was a colleague of mine for over 25 years in her role as first Senior Education Officer and ultimately from 1998 to 2009 as Chief Executive in the Southern Education Library Board.  She possessed all the finest qualities of good leadership: wisdom, encouragement, patience, equanimity, loyalty, dedication and integrity, displaying them all at the crucial moments in what was a most demanding role.  Her sterling work for the Church of Ireland in various capacities reflected the clear spiritual foundations on which her values were built and shone through in her relationships wherever she was involved.”

To Stephen, Helen’s husband and daughter Frances, we want to express our deepest sympathy on their huge loss and our heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of sharing their loved one with us over so many rewarding years of outstanding service.  We will not easily forget Helen and her contribution to the Trust and The Ballance House.

 The Volunteer Team, Ulster New Zealand Trust at The Ballance House