She had magic in getting people to say ... "Yes". For me, a "5 minute conversation with Helen turned into a 5-year fellowship with her and those with Spiritual Frontiers Canada (SFC).

Her loving kindness, generosit and compassion will be remembered always. As well as her brevity in exposing her humanity for us to see as a graceful reminder that each one of us may be blinded to the wisdome and insight that may be obvious to others.

This article is in honour of Helen O'Brien who has contributed greatly to the people of Ottawa, including the spiritual community. She was on a life path for self improvement and her compassion extended outward to all.

Although words fall short at times like these, I hope you all share in the following comments:

"I am very pleased to write a tribute to Helen O'Brien, who I knew for almost twenty years. As I well recall, she was a sincere truth seeker with a positive spiriual perspective, always of good cheer, and had a genuine concern for others she met on her own spiritual path. As a key Volunteer for Spiritual Frontiers Canada (SFC). I felt that Helen was always an enthusiastic SFC Volunteer, service-oriented, and a tireless worker to promote a better spiritual understanding of life among those who reside in the National Capital Region. I will miss Helen's friendly smile, and our informal chats. May God blss her always."
-- George Kokich, SFC Founder

We honour the memory of Helen O'Brien who contributed so much to Spiritual Frontiers over the years. She led the Program Committee and was also one of the main leaders of the Management Committee. She was a strong supporter of the Energy Balance Exchange and had studied the topic of Energy for many years. We thank her for her many years of service. She will be truly missed. We have lost a friend and strong support of SFC.
-- Spiritual Frontiers Canada

"This is not very profound. It is hard to sum up what a person meant to you. - Helen O"Brien was one of the charter members of my Appreciating Differences where we studied personality theory these past fourteen years. She was a keen student and a valued friend. The group and I will strongly miss her and what she brought to the group." -- Jack Falt

"May we give thanks that she is at rest in Spirit in the love and peace that she so much deserves to experience. May our thoughts and prayers surround Helen as she and her memory live on in our lives. May we too, continue as her life reflected, the deep desire to serve. To serve in ways by which service to a cause beyond ourselves helps us all to experience bringing much healing to ourselves and to our world. In Love = Light."
-- Judith Matheson, Interfaith Spiritual Director, Heart + Soul Light Centre

Eyes and smile a gleam'n when she's happy
Eyes and smile a tell'in her own ways
Heart and soul a suffer'n in some ways
Heart and soul a lov'n always
Dear Helen, with no more to resolve
May you fly freely with love.
-- Jill

Helen O'Brien (nee Smrek) peacefully passed in her sleep at her home, on Friday, February 11th, 2011. Loving wife of the late Deacon John Barry O'Brien. Sadly missed by her children Barbara O'Brien-Litten (Daniel) and John O'Brien. Proud grandmother of Terrence, Kurits, Brendan, Devon and Parker. Dear sister of Frank Smrek (the late Marjorie), and the late Steven Smrek (the late Meri). Remembered by her sister-in-law mary-Rita Sheldrake and Linda O'Brien. A special thank you to all of Helen's friends and support workers.

We send our love and prayers to the family. We remember Helen dearly and entrust her spirit to God.

written by Jill Ledden, www.EnergyEmerge.com, a "dormant" volunteer with Spiritual Frontiers.