In Memory of Helen Sanders

On Sunday, July 13, 2003, I was stunned  to learn of the sudden passing of my sister, Helen Sanders, of New Port Richey, Florida. At the time of her death, she was visiting with her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Carmen Sanders, in Lebanon, Indiana. Her  unexpected death was made even more of a surprise, due to the recent passing of our older brother, Myron Robbins Jr, just seven weeks earlier.

Helen Irene Sanders was born to Myron and Irene Robbins, in Sheridan, Indiana, on October 11, 1937. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1955, and married Gerald Sanders in 1957, with whom she was married 43 years, until his passing in 2000.

Helen is survived by her three boys and their families... Mark Sanders and his wife, Carmen, of Lebanon, Indiana... Tom Sanders and his wife, Rene', of Bayonet Point, Florida... and Brian Sanders and his wife, Christine, of New Port Richey, Florida. Together, they gave Helen eight grandchildren. Helen also left three surviving siblings, Joan Heine and Barbara Hiatt, both of Lebanon... and myself, Dale Robbins, of California, along with our father, Myron Robbins Sr of Westfield, Indiana, and stepmother, Mary Elizabeth Robbins, also of Westfield (who, incidentally, also passed away on August 10th). Our mother, Irene, died in 1977.

Helen was a homemaker, enjoyed her family, and liked sewing, doing craft projects and cross stitching. In recent years, she found enjoyment writing and sending emails to her family and friends. She also was a vibrant Christian with a sincere love for the Lord that had grown more intense in recent years. She was a member of the West People's Baptist Church of West Pasco, Florida.

Helen was the oldest of my three sisters, and for many years lived in Lebanon with her Husband Gerald, until moving to Florida approximately 20 years ago. My earliest  memories of my sister are few, since she married and left home when I was only 4 years old... but I do have treasured recollections from when I was small... such as when I couldn't pronounce ner name "Helen," so I called her "Ollie" instead. I also remember times when we played together, and crying when Ollie got married and left home. I still vividly remember her wedding to Gerald at the Sheridan Church of God in 1957, and can recall how beautiful she was in her wedding dress. 

Much clearer are my memories of Helen,  Gerald and their boys during my later childhood years, who frequently came to visit mom and dad on Sundays. Helen and Gerald were always so faithful to come visit my parents... wonderful traits that I'll always remember about both my sister and older brother, Myron Jr. Helen was 15 years older than me, but her firstborn son Mark, was much nearer my age, and both he and his younger brother Tom, served as great playmates as I grew up. (Brian came along a little later, after I was nearly an adult.)

Although I had not been able to see my sister in recent times, due to the distance between us, the funeral of our brother seven weeks earlier, enabled us to come together and visit extensively for the first time in many years. I was also blessed that my wife, Jerri, and daughter, Angie, were also able to be there to visit with Helen... unaware that this would be the last time we would ever have a chance. To the right is a snapshot of my daughter, Angie, giving Aunt Helen a hug, during our visit to attend Myron Jr's funeral. We never dreamed that it would be our final time together.

During the last several months and weeks before her death, Helen wrote me several messages that expressed her strong faith in God... along with some thoughts that seemed nearly prophetic. During the aftermath of our brother's death, unaware that her own passing was just days ahead, she shared, "In life you never know when God will call us home and it was Jr.'s turn."

Finally, as I went back and reviewed Helen's email messages to me in previous months, I came across an inspiring writing she had sent me, one that now seems so fitting as a final tribute to her life, as well as a pearl of wisdom for everyday living. This apparently touched her heart, and she wanted to share it with all those she loved. May it speak to you, as much as it did to mine.

--Dale A. Robbins
August 2003