Annie Helm

May  22nd, 1951 January  25th, 2025
Kapiti
Annie Helm

dearly loved mother, grandmother, aunty, friend, artist, advocate and ally to those who needed a voice. 

Obituary

Annie's early years were filled with classical music and voice training. As she grew into a young adult, Annie dreamt of singing on opera stages. Anyone who had the joy of hearing her sing could hear the talent. Yet, it was on a different stage that others were to be uplifted by Annie's voice. Annie spent most of her life as a courageous advocate for herself and others. With a twinkle in her eye and fire in her belly, Annie always spoke truth to power. Annie was fearless in confronting authority, calling out injustices and demanding change. Annie reckoned if you weren't annoying someone, you were doing advocacy wrong. Despite the heaviness of her work, Annie never lost sight of laughter, joy and fun. Annie also created and held space for others as they found their voice. The loss of Annie will be deeply felt across many communities, but the legacy, the wisdom, the warmth and love as well as the continued fight for recognition and redress for tangata whaiora lives on. 

Memory wall

Whānau welcome any who wish to share any memories or stories. We are really really enjoying learning who our Mum was and what she meant to others. 


February 6, 2025
When I first met Annie in the early 90's, we seemed to rubbed each other up the wrong way. This is how it was for many of us early mental health activists. We all felt alone, individually carrying the burden of raising awareness of the abuses within the mental health system. But we weren't alone and over time we grew to deeply love and respect each other and the hard work we did. Annie and I had many things in common and we came to realise we had walked side by side in this long and difficult battle for many years. It is time to rest now my friend. Know that you made a great difference. 🙏🙂💕
Denise Caltaux
February 6, 2025
I first met Annie when I worked at Kites Trust in Wellington. We shared a love for Central Otago and Dunedin. We also travelled to the USA together; San Fran, Indianna and New York. We drank cocktails on the top of a hotel in Manhatten, we navigated plane cancellations, train delays, lost laundry and driving on the other side of the road. Finding good vegetarian food wasn't always easy.
We shared many stories including the love for her family. She was very supportive of me as I grieved for my husband who had died the year before. The trip provided us with the opportunity to see psychiatric facilities that had eliminated the practice of seclusion. We came back with high hopes but unfortantely the practice still remains.

Much love to Annie's whanau x
Marge Jackson
February 3, 2025
As Leo said in his beautiful poem Annie was a woman of opportunities. Annie was a true friend to many - you could contact her in any state of mind/ distress and get understanding and insight and she would gently share the possibilities of a situation , how I will miss that.
When I think of Annie I think of stories . How lucky we were at the last birthday celebration up the Coast where Annie was in full flight. One of many stories I remember is when taxi driving in Wainui when Georgia and Morgan were young Annie adroitly getting the mongrel mob leader on side so the gangsters always paid up after one of them tried to evade paying.
Annie made friends wherever she went at gatherings at my house she could be seen reading the i-ching for people or connecting with some one in corner . The party at Breaker Bay hall before Annie went to visit Harrison in the States bringing her community together. Morgan up a ladder hanging balloons, Shelley cheerfully washing dishes . Out walking and Annie would greet a street person she had come across in her travels. When i was away up North and my younger son went off the rails for a bit , Annie ignored the tinnie house vibes and bowled around and invited herself in to see how he was doing
As Annies plus 1 during lockdown because i lived around the corner. i would call in on my way home from work nursing and talk at a distance through the door. There was often an offering of german apple cake.
as others have said there were hard times too and Annies spirit was tested many times but she came back again and again.
i cold talk about Annies in the survivor movement , that fight for justice and the eventual apology . Annie supported many peer initiatives and back in 2013 myself and a colleague nominated Annie for Exceptional Contribution to Mental Health Service in Australia or New Zealand at The Mental Health Services Conference of Australia and New Zealand (TheMHS) in Melbourne and she was awarded it . it was the work of a lifetime when the apology was eventually made

https://kitestrust.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/fight-for-justice-for-former-inpatients-recognised-with-australasian-award/

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ex-psych-patients-call-for-apology/VZBRY6YFQ26ST2WQG6DC32IQEM/
Eileen McAtee
February 1, 2025
Kia ora Anne,
As you know, we met when I was a mental health promoter, and you were the one who really knew. You taught me so much. You laughed at me and gave me insights that I have never forgotten. Thank you for your contribution, your life, your song! May the next adventure be a good one.
Richard
Richard Egan
February 1, 2025
We met Annie in the laughter yoga on a grey over cloudy day in Christchurch, just after the February quake in 2011. OMG [!!], she had the most infectious laugh and all our bellies would wobble up down endlessly with joyous laughter. Tears rolling down our cheeks. However, there was a lot more about Annie. One day at a friends place where we all congregated for dinner and we were all embroiled in joyous conversation - all of a sudden Annie started to hum a melody and off she went to the piano and starting playing. It was, I called it a "Clair du Lune" moment from Claude Debussy and we all went of on cloud 49..........and every time I hear piano music, this very moment comes to mind, where Annie transported us into another world. That was Annie, she could transport your mind into music, social local issues of this world and with that, widen our horizons immensely. Rest in peace dear Annie, a last hug from us all with a wobbly laughter and running tears down our cheeks, in this never ending winding road of LIFE.
Andy Holler & Kate Rouse
January 31, 2025
Annie was a very bright first light for me when I needed help as never before. She threw a halo of hope. Her warmth, wit and concern for others shone strongly and uniquely. It's the debt that can never be repaid. Travel lightly now my much missed friend and meditation partner. 🙏💗
Pam Englert
January 31, 2025
Your graceful presence, your generosity, the poetry we shared. Thank you Annie for all you brought to the world.
Tim Heffernan
January 30, 2025
I was so lucky to learn from Annie during my time living and learning in Aotearoa. I so admired her tenacity and wisdom. And her humour.
Sleep well, Annie. Thank you for all you have done for our movement ❤️
Lisa Archibald
January 30, 2025
I first met Annie in a group massage at Convergence, without talking we moved to protect a young woman from unhealthy energy. That's how it was with us a connection that needed few words. I was so in awe of how she had episodes of mental unwellness and was still so damn fiesty when well. This was the part of her that impacted how I sit in the world. She has been and will continue to be the person that inspires me to live my life more fully. I am sad that I cannot come to the service as I'm traveling back to NZ that day. Arohanui.
Lesley Fulford
January 30, 2025
Teenaa koe Anne,
I wear your 'gift' to me with special pride. Such wise words 'be quiet, meditate, live purely and like the moon come out from behind the clouds and shine'.
With much respect and aroha: Martin Burke, your Marty.
Martin Burke
January 30, 2025
Your mum was a great and joyful person who shared her inspiration to so many others.
I never met her here in Dunedin personally yet I feel I know her and sense her beautiful being.
God Bless her name character and spirit forever x
Sophia Byles
January 29, 2025
Arohanui Annie
Much love from someone who admired your courage, your humour your musicality, and the difference you made in Aotearoa.
Janet
Janet Peters
January 29, 2025
I met Annie when I was 16. She just got more special over time. When I think about her achievements, they will last a long time. I think she will continue to have an influence, through her descendants, but also from the realm where she is going. Expect wonders and marvels, Annie style
Karen Effie
January 29, 2025
I first met Annie at a like Mind's conference in Hamilton. Annie incoraged me to become a leader. Annie had the ability to be sweet and kind and at the same time strong a sharp blade a cutting toug when it came ignorecine. RIP brave soldier Annie was always fighting the good fight. She was inspiring wise compashit. Funny diplomatic loving. The sky is darker with Annie's bright star gone. Always in my heart love Susie
Susie Crooks
January 29, 2025
I first saw Annie in Plimmerton singing Arias from the top of the outdoor steps of her flat
I knew I had to get to know her. That was in 1979 when I was pregnant with my first daughter. We became firm friends and had many laughs together.
I remember her as a Sanyastant following Bagawan, dressed in red and orange. Luckily the colours suited her.
I met Georgis and Morgan when they were babies in Wainuiomata.
I visited her in Dunedin and kept in touch with her in all her moves. She was a great friend; a great advocate and she lived her life with dignity and integrity.
Flisd
January 29, 2025
Annie was the kind of friend who was always there for you when you needed support. She came and sang at My Dad's funeral way back in 1984, then again at Mum's funeral in 2009 and she came and sang at my 70th birthday, much to my joy.Her wonderful humour was always present and very much part of her charm.She was an activist and fighter, who knew much more than most, what she was fighting for and against.We had a huge amount in common, when I look back although our lives were so different.If I loved something you could almost guarantee than Annie would too, Whether it was Leonard Cohen,cello music, fabulous art and knitting marvels, we shared the same appreciation, which are some of the reasons that I treasured her friendship.She will be long missed,as a v special spirit , and for her unique and marvellous talents and gifts.
Jude Gedye

Service


Whānau warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Annie Helm. 

We look forward to together giving voice to the wonderful person that Annie was.

We will start with a service 3pm - 4 pm  in the quiet setting of QE 2 park Paekākāriki. 

The online stream can be found here https://evt.live/annie

We welcome all those who wish to join us for the service both in person and on-line. We will upload a link here shortly to a teams meeting. 

We will then move on to gather, toast, celebrate and share kai at Sunday Cantina 31 Poplar Ave, Raumati South. 

We would appreciate if you could RSVP for catering purposes. 
Location
Ramaroa Centre, Entrance to QE2 Park,  Paekākāriki
Date/time
Saturday 8th February 3-4 pm 
Virtual event
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