[Dialogue] Helen Newkirk

Thu Feb 7 15:08:01 PST 2013

My first memory of the strong and committed Newkirk family was the several
times I was assigned to teach RSI with Bill back in the mid 60s.  I'm
guessing we were both "regional colleagues" at that point, soon to become
part of the OE.   I didn't know Helen well, but always saw her as the kind
of intentional woman we all aspired to being in those days (and ever since.)

When our just-turned-three-years old twins were barely potty trained (by Nan
Bailey) and sent to camp for the first time, Patty was Ben's counselor -
such a dear and kind presence who allowed these two little guys to connect,
especially holding hands at Daily Office.  Patty - thank you so much!
Especially for communicating with us. 

Joe and I especially admired Jim - a strong, focused spirit man, quite like
his Dad.

With much love and respect for an amazing Mom and her family,

Marilyn and Joe

Marilyn R. Crocker, Ed.D

123 Sanborn Rd

West Newfield, ME 04095

From: dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Doris Hahn
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 5:36 PM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Helen Newkirk

I really knew Helen after she and Bill moved to Utopia, TX, and we were in
Smithville, TX. We visited them a couple of times at their B&B--what a treat
that was. At that time, Helen zipped around in a VW convertible, and I must
say I was envious! Subsequently, Helen and I attended some women's retreats
which were conducted by our long-time colleagues. The last time I saw Helen
was at one of those retreats, just before she left for Denver to help take
care of new triplets that belonged to her niece. She said she hadn't been
sure where her next tour of duty was going to be, but after these babies
arrived, her mission was clear. Helen, you and your family are amazing
people--and will continue to amaze, I have no doubt!
Grace and Peace,
Doris Hahn

On Wed, Feb 6, 2013 at 12:19 PM, Wilson Priscilla <Pris at teamtechpress.com>
wrote:

Dear Newkirk family,

I don't have particular stories and remembrances of the Newkirks, but I do
remember Helen and Bill as two of the most authentic, lovely people I ever
met.

I send love and prayers as Helen continues this stage of her journey...and
hugs and peace to the family.

Priscilla Wilson

On Feb 5, 2013, at 7:36 PM, Jack and Louise Ballard wrote:

Dear Newkirk Family and Friends,

We are so sad to learn about Helen's condition.  Oh, my, the amazing
memories we carry of Helen and Bill.  Jack and I were a couple of young
naive interns who showed up at the Decalceolate Carmelite Monastery at 4th
and Rhode Island Ave. DC on January 1, 1971.  How could we have been
prepared for the likes of Helen Newkirk?  She and Bill (and Linda who was
attending U of Md) were priors and there was a youth component, including
Larry Philbrook.  Needless to say, it was a very lively place.  Helen was
the most irrepressible person I'd ever met. That is putting it mildly.  Her
question was always:  Is it MISSIONAL?  Will it get the MISSION
accomplished?  It was always about the mission.  Her very favorite saying
was "That's no problem".  No matter how large or small the issue, to Helen
it was simply "No problem."  I remember her telling the story that she and
Bill never cancelled an event just because of the weather.  You could always
figure out a way to have a picnic!  Do you remember the hours we spent in
the Collegium Room (the large end of the basement) covering those damp and
crumbling walls with burlap?  Bill apparently had a contact through the
Forest Sevice to get us burlap that is usually wrapped around the ball of
trees.  Days and days were spent stapling the walls with burlap and it
worked well enough to keep the moisture out and the walls together.  Many
Odysseys and area events as well as daily life went on in that room.  I
think no one realized what hit them when they first encountered this truly
spirit-filled woman.  She seemed unflappable.  We are always grateful that
Bill and Helen were selected to stand for the order at our Chris' baptism
after he was born that year in DC. 

Helen has always continued to be the one with the big smile, the sparkle in
her eye, the one full of optimism. Please send our hugs, our prayers and our
love to Helen as she makes this Great Transition.

Our love and prayers go to the family as well:  Linda, Jim, Patricia, Lisa
and David and all the family members.

Louise and Jack Ballard

-----Original Message-----
From:  <mailto:dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net>
dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net [mailto:
<mailto:dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net>
dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net]On Behalf Of Carol Crow
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2013 10:43 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue; Order Ecumenical Community
Subject: [Dialogue] Helen Newkirk

Dear Friends, 

I have been asked by Patricia to forward this letter from her sister, Linda
Knutsen.  Helen lives with Linda and Lester in Virginia, (DC area) and is
nearing the end of her life.  They would love to hear stories from any of
you who have lived with Helen and Bill - please send them to
ljknutsen at gmail.com.  The family will read them to Helen and share with each
other.  Patricia leaves this afternoon to share these last days with the
family.  By evening Lisa will also have arrived.  Dave and girls are already
there and Jim will not be able to come from Serbia but was here last summer.
Other extended family are there and arriving.

Attached is a letter Linda sent out earlier this week.

Subject: Update on Mom/Helen - Feb 1, 2013

Reply-To:  <mailto:ljknutsen at gmail.com> ljknutsen at gmail.com

Hello everyone,

I am sorry that I haven't kept you all in the loop more frequently on how
Mom is doing...it has been a good, but challenging month.

As anticipated, Hospice has been just simply wonderful, and has made this
last few weeks so much more manageable than I could have imagined. While Mom
continued for most of January to make her way, usually on her own, out into
the living room into her recliner to watch her favorite shows, record her
life stories, read, or just hang out, her strength steadily declined.
Thankfully, we have gotten her pain well under control, and she claims to
have little to none. Starting last Saturday for 4 nights she 'traveled' all
night long, talking constantly for most of 7 hours (!) with family members
and some strangers in all corners of the globe. These episodes were mostly
typical, illogical dreams with memories woven in, and were often quite
funny! I have many quotes from those nights that I have shared with my
siblings, and we have laughed and laughed!  My favorites are:

"Oh, this is just terrible...my tacos are FREEZING!" ...and...
"LINDA, JUST TELL ME WHAT THE PLAN IS!" (yes, very loudly!)

We have lots of family help here now to be with her. She has slept well for
the past two nights with little dream-talking, and her spirits are
excellent. Her humor and her intellect are most definitely intact! But she
can no longer bear any weight, and sleeps most of the time. She slept nearly
15 hours yesterday after her 4 days of 'traveling' and even then was still
quite tired. But today she was quite responsive and interactive, though for
very short periods between naps.

She is ready to 'go home' and quite at peace with the most **amazing** life
she has had, and she has SO enjoyed hearing from all of you, her ***MOST***
amazing hoard of much-loved, far-flung, wild and wonderful friends and
family.

Many of these I mention are gathering here as I type to wish her yet another
blessed journey, and she will definitely be thinking of all of you, near and
far. (As I write this I realize that neither she nor I have checked her
email for maybe a week or more, so I will do that now and share with her all
your loving communications.)

Love and peace,
Linda

Thank you for sharing in this special time in the Newkirk family.In caring
community,

Carol Crow

Patricia's Housemate in Bothell, WA

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Priscilla H Wilson

 <mailto:Pris at TeamTechPress.com> Pris at TeamTechPress.com

 <tel:913-432-2107> 913-432-2107

 <http://www.teamtechpress.com> www.teamtechpress.com

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