Tribute to Theresa Helm - a courageous fighter for justice and peace

The news of the death of Theresa Helm will have saddened the many people who have known her over the years.

I have known Theresa for almost 20 years; though have seen less of her in recent times. She was part of a group of people who came together and energised the mission of justice and peace in the Brentwood diocese and nationally during the 1990s and into the noughties.

Theresa was active in her justice and peace group in Hornchurch parish, together with Fran Marshall. Both then became more involved when they helped launch the justice and peace centre at the Chigwell convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary.

Fran left Chigwell but Theresa continued the valuable work there keeping the flame of justice and peace burning long after others in the Brentwood diocese had done their best to put it out.

The Chigwell J&P centre became a hub of justice and peace work, hosting workshops and study days on issues like international debt, trade and aid, food security, globalisation, migration, child soldiers and human trafficking. The Chigwell sisters also supported the work of the National Justice and Peace Network.

Theresa was a keen advocate of training and formation of people. Much of the work at Chigwell has focused on formation over the years. Sadly, the need for formation of Catholics in the faith has never received the recognition it so desperately deserves. Theresa did her best but it was always an uphill struggle.

Theresa worked closely for many years with former chair of the Brentwood Justice and Peace Commission, Kathy Piper, who died in 2013. It looked as though Theresa would become the worker at one point. Theresa though was not to be thwarted as she continued with the work at Chigwell.

I remember doing a feature on the work of the centre, focusing on Theresa and Fran. Given the centre was based in Chigwell, the parallels were drawn with TV comedy Birds of a Feather - it was never clear who mirrored which character - there was no Dorien though.

I also knew Theresa and her partner of many years Alex socially. They took me to the Gay Hussar restaurant in Soho for the first time. Alex, being of Hungarian descent, seemed keen that night to try every drink in the place. A memorable night.

We also used to go to Lee Hurst's comedy club at Bethnal Green, seeing the different acts along with several drinks and a kebab later by the station.
Sadly, Theresa has now left us. The world will be a lesser place for her loss, always up for a laugh but also a serious person whose abilities and intellectual integrity did not always get the recognition they deserved. RIP Theresa.

The funeral will take place at 1.15 on Tuesday 21st June 2016 at Chigwell Convent Chapel