Individual Details
Helen MOTYKA
(14 Jul 1950 - 23 Mar 2024)
Tribute spoken by Father Martin Arnold at Helen's funeral service.
The family have prepared the following which is but a small part of the life we celebrate today. Helen Tomkins (nee Olena Motyka)
Helen was born in Brisbane on 14 July 1950 to newly arrived Ukrainian refugee parents, John and Maria Motyka. Her first home was with her godmother’s family in Kangaroo Point. Soon the Motyka family moved to Boyland Avenue, Coopers Plains and built a home there. Helen and her brother Ray were raised in a strong and vibrant Brisbane Ukrainian Community.
She started school at St Brendan’s Moorooka speaking only Ukrainian. These were difficult days. Later she moved to Moorooka State School for years 7 and 8. Helen attended Salisbury High School, matriculated, and trained at Kelvin Grove Teachers College. Upgrading her qualifications later at the Mt Gravatt Teachers College.
Many of her long-term friends are from primary and secondary school, Ukrainian School, and of course her 35 years teaching. She taught at what others would consider some of the toughest primary schools in South east Queensland, including Inala, Serviceton, Woodridge and Durack, as well as, Toowoomba, Cambooya, Sunnybank, Moorooka, Yeronga and Acacia Ridge. She loved teaching, was adamant Art was an important part of the curriculum and loved being school art co-ordinator. She constantly bought art materials and little presents for her students from her own earnings. After retirement she would often be warmly greeted as Mrs Tomkins whenever she ran into ex-students.
Aside from her English school studies, Helen also attended the Ukrainian Language School at South Brisbane on Saturdays, was involved in Plast (scouts) and learnt Ukrainian dance. She also taught at the Saturday Ukrainian School.
For a time in the early 1970’s, Helen and her family lived in Keats Street, Moorooka, returning to Coopers Plains only to lose almost everything, other than the house, in the 1974 Brisbane floods.
Throughout her life Helen unwaveringly supported Ukraine and Ukrainian culture and traditions and she first visited the then, Soviet controlled homeland of her parents as a solo traveller in 1975. She was a very brave and determined young woman. Two lifetime friends were accumulated on that overseas trip, New Zealander, Ken Parnell (now deceased) who Helen met in Kiev, and Canadian Mary Lynn Weller who she met in Europe.
Helen was elated when Ukraine was freed in 1991 and always saddened by the tragic events in Ukraine since 2014.
In mid 1977, Helen met Neil at a party hosted by Neil’s sister, Lynne. From that first meeting they were nearly inseparable. They married in December 1977 and moved into her family’s Keats Street property. They bought the home, demolished it, and built a new home on the site in 1981 and have lived there since then.
Three wonderful children, Elissa 1982, Katie 1984, and Luke 1987 joined the young family. Helen had a brief break from teaching after each child was born and resigned from teaching after Luke was born. By working she had insured the financial stability of the family. Great foresight, as Neil was caught up in the 1989 downturn and the young family struggled financially for a few years. Helen then returned to teaching full time and Neil re-established his career.
Children educated, Helen sparked the travel bug in Neil and they travelled in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. COVID put a halt on further overseas travel plans and by the time travel opened again Helen had been diagnosed with secondary cancer.
Throughout it all, Helen continued to enjoy painting by numbers, reading the daily newspapers, doing the daily crossword and sudoku along with watching news, crime shows and The Bold and Beautiful on television. She also enjoyed the comradery associated with membership of the Salisbury East Probus Club.
Over the years the family grew with the addition of the children’s partners Jason, Megan and Jesse.
Helen’s greatest joy in recent years has been her 7 extraordinary grandchildren, Reilly and Jaxen, Bree, Jake and Ella, Oliver and Aria. No matter how terrible she felt, Baba would always brighten when she saw or talked to any of them. The family thanks the Mater Cancer Care Centre, Mater Radiation Oncology, Mater Palliative Care, Mater nurses and staff and the McGrath Nurses for the care that enabled Helen to meet and enjoys her 3 youngest grandchildren.
Apart from children and grandchildren, one of Helen’s proudest achievements was the establishment of the second iteration of the Brisbane Ukrainian seniors club with help and support of her friends Daria and Irena. Helen served 2 years as the inaugural President of the new club.
This Ukrainian Catholic Church and Helen’s faith have always been a constant in her life. She was baptised, confirmed, married and had all her children baptised in this church. Helen also served for a time on the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Council.
A cruel and insidious disease did not dim the courage shown by that young woman determined to meet her extended family in Soviet Ukraine in 1975. The courage she had shown then stayed with her to her final day.
The Tomkins/Motyka families, have been overwhelmed by the love, care and support shown by everyone during Helen’s illness and since Helen, also a Mum, Baba, sister and Aunt passed. We will be forever grateful to you all.
Helen’s internment at L22 Mt Gravatt Cemetery will follow this service. Friends and family are all welcome to attend the Cemetery and/or join in a celebration of Helen’s life at the Southern Cross Sports Club, Klumpp Road, Upper Mt Gravatt commencing about 3:00 pm.
In closing, here are some tributes to Helen.
Helen’s friend Mary Lynn says, “Helen was an amazing woman who I am grateful for knowing. She was a treasured friend.
As we lived on different continents, it meant we spent little time together in our 48 years of friendship, but the distance wasn’t an issue for us. Through letters, occasional phone calls and later email, we kept in touch sharing the ups and downs of life you can only share with a special friend. A cherished memory for me will always be Helen and Neil being with us in Canada when Joe and I married.
I have many wonderful memories of Helen that I will always treasure. I will miss you Helen. Love Mary Lynn - Canada
Helen’s children say, “While we have to bid you farewell for now. Rest easy knowing you have raised 3 strong and capable children. We understand and appreciate every sacrifice you made.
You were our mum, baba and friend. A conversation, hug and phone call we already and will forever miss. Your last years were not without issue. Thank you for every second you gave us, meeting and being a light to all your grandchildren. Rest now Helen, mum and baba. Your family is together, with you beside us as a love and memory that will never fade. Till we meet again, we will all wear the smile you gave to us. P.s. don't worry we've got dad.”
Neil says, “Rest in peace my beautiful girl. You were so brave. I don’t want to say goodbye, I love you and I miss you every day”
The family have prepared the following which is but a small part of the life we celebrate today. Helen Tomkins (nee Olena Motyka)
Helen was born in Brisbane on 14 July 1950 to newly arrived Ukrainian refugee parents, John and Maria Motyka. Her first home was with her godmother’s family in Kangaroo Point. Soon the Motyka family moved to Boyland Avenue, Coopers Plains and built a home there. Helen and her brother Ray were raised in a strong and vibrant Brisbane Ukrainian Community.
She started school at St Brendan’s Moorooka speaking only Ukrainian. These were difficult days. Later she moved to Moorooka State School for years 7 and 8. Helen attended Salisbury High School, matriculated, and trained at Kelvin Grove Teachers College. Upgrading her qualifications later at the Mt Gravatt Teachers College.
Many of her long-term friends are from primary and secondary school, Ukrainian School, and of course her 35 years teaching. She taught at what others would consider some of the toughest primary schools in South east Queensland, including Inala, Serviceton, Woodridge and Durack, as well as, Toowoomba, Cambooya, Sunnybank, Moorooka, Yeronga and Acacia Ridge. She loved teaching, was adamant Art was an important part of the curriculum and loved being school art co-ordinator. She constantly bought art materials and little presents for her students from her own earnings. After retirement she would often be warmly greeted as Mrs Tomkins whenever she ran into ex-students.
Aside from her English school studies, Helen also attended the Ukrainian Language School at South Brisbane on Saturdays, was involved in Plast (scouts) and learnt Ukrainian dance. She also taught at the Saturday Ukrainian School.
For a time in the early 1970’s, Helen and her family lived in Keats Street, Moorooka, returning to Coopers Plains only to lose almost everything, other than the house, in the 1974 Brisbane floods.
Throughout her life Helen unwaveringly supported Ukraine and Ukrainian culture and traditions and she first visited the then, Soviet controlled homeland of her parents as a solo traveller in 1975. She was a very brave and determined young woman. Two lifetime friends were accumulated on that overseas trip, New Zealander, Ken Parnell (now deceased) who Helen met in Kiev, and Canadian Mary Lynn Weller who she met in Europe.
Helen was elated when Ukraine was freed in 1991 and always saddened by the tragic events in Ukraine since 2014.
In mid 1977, Helen met Neil at a party hosted by Neil’s sister, Lynne. From that first meeting they were nearly inseparable. They married in December 1977 and moved into her family’s Keats Street property. They bought the home, demolished it, and built a new home on the site in 1981 and have lived there since then.
Three wonderful children, Elissa 1982, Katie 1984, and Luke 1987 joined the young family. Helen had a brief break from teaching after each child was born and resigned from teaching after Luke was born. By working she had insured the financial stability of the family. Great foresight, as Neil was caught up in the 1989 downturn and the young family struggled financially for a few years. Helen then returned to teaching full time and Neil re-established his career.
Children educated, Helen sparked the travel bug in Neil and they travelled in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. COVID put a halt on further overseas travel plans and by the time travel opened again Helen had been diagnosed with secondary cancer.
Throughout it all, Helen continued to enjoy painting by numbers, reading the daily newspapers, doing the daily crossword and sudoku along with watching news, crime shows and The Bold and Beautiful on television. She also enjoyed the comradery associated with membership of the Salisbury East Probus Club.
Over the years the family grew with the addition of the children’s partners Jason, Megan and Jesse.
Helen’s greatest joy in recent years has been her 7 extraordinary grandchildren, Reilly and Jaxen, Bree, Jake and Ella, Oliver and Aria. No matter how terrible she felt, Baba would always brighten when she saw or talked to any of them. The family thanks the Mater Cancer Care Centre, Mater Radiation Oncology, Mater Palliative Care, Mater nurses and staff and the McGrath Nurses for the care that enabled Helen to meet and enjoys her 3 youngest grandchildren.
Apart from children and grandchildren, one of Helen’s proudest achievements was the establishment of the second iteration of the Brisbane Ukrainian seniors club with help and support of her friends Daria and Irena. Helen served 2 years as the inaugural President of the new club.
This Ukrainian Catholic Church and Helen’s faith have always been a constant in her life. She was baptised, confirmed, married and had all her children baptised in this church. Helen also served for a time on the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Council.
A cruel and insidious disease did not dim the courage shown by that young woman determined to meet her extended family in Soviet Ukraine in 1975. The courage she had shown then stayed with her to her final day.
The Tomkins/Motyka families, have been overwhelmed by the love, care and support shown by everyone during Helen’s illness and since Helen, also a Mum, Baba, sister and Aunt passed. We will be forever grateful to you all.
Helen’s internment at L22 Mt Gravatt Cemetery will follow this service. Friends and family are all welcome to attend the Cemetery and/or join in a celebration of Helen’s life at the Southern Cross Sports Club, Klumpp Road, Upper Mt Gravatt commencing about 3:00 pm.
In closing, here are some tributes to Helen.
Helen’s friend Mary Lynn says, “Helen was an amazing woman who I am grateful for knowing. She was a treasured friend.
As we lived on different continents, it meant we spent little time together in our 48 years of friendship, but the distance wasn’t an issue for us. Through letters, occasional phone calls and later email, we kept in touch sharing the ups and downs of life you can only share with a special friend. A cherished memory for me will always be Helen and Neil being with us in Canada when Joe and I married.
I have many wonderful memories of Helen that I will always treasure. I will miss you Helen. Love Mary Lynn - Canada
Helen’s children say, “While we have to bid you farewell for now. Rest easy knowing you have raised 3 strong and capable children. We understand and appreciate every sacrifice you made.
You were our mum, baba and friend. A conversation, hug and phone call we already and will forever miss. Your last years were not without issue. Thank you for every second you gave us, meeting and being a light to all your grandchildren. Rest now Helen, mum and baba. Your family is together, with you beside us as a love and memory that will never fade. Till we meet again, we will all wear the smile you gave to us. P.s. don't worry we've got dad.”
Neil says, “Rest in peace my beautiful girl. You were so brave. I don’t want to say goodbye, I love you and I miss you every day”
Events
| Birth | 14 Jul 1950 | ||||
| Marriage | 17 Dec 1977 | Ukranian Orthodox Catholic Church, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia - Living | |||
| Death | 23 Mar 2024 | Mater Private Hospital, 301 Vulture St, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |  | ||
| Burial | 4 Apr 2024 | Funeral - Ukrainian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Protection, 36 Broadway Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia | | ||
| Alt name | Olena MOTYKA | | |||
| Alt name | Helen TOMKINS | |
Families
| Spouse | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Father | Evan "John" MOTYKA (1918 - 2002) |
| Mother | Maria GRIGOR (1926 - 2015) |
| Sibling | Living |
Notes
Death
Neil says: Helen struggled through the night. She passed suddenly and quietly into the care of the Lord at 7.30am this morning. She had a good week this week seeing lots of family and friends cheered her greatly.Burial
George Harnett FuneralsHelen Tomkins 1950 - 2024
Helen passed away peacefully on Saturday 23rd March 2024. Much loved wife of Neil, and adored mother to Elissa, Katie & Luke. In lieu of flowers and to honour Helen's legacy, please make a donation that will help make an impact on cancer care, to either The McGrath Foundation or Mater Foundation - Mater Chicks in Pink.
• When Thursday 04 April 2024 at 01:00 pm
• Where Ukrainian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Protection 36 Broadway Street, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
• Service organised by GHM Holland Park