Helen was born in royton on the 11th november 1927 to Mary and Joseph Bodell and grew up with her 4 brothers and 2 sisters in their family home in royton. At the tender age of just 16, whilst on a trip to the victory picture house on union street, oldham, she was to meet the love of her life Mr Arthur Horsfall. this day was to be the start of a new chapter in both their lives. Sometime after they met Arthur found out that round the corner, at the cosy picture house, if he was to pay an extra penny he could take Helen up the step for a smooch. so as their romance blossomed Arthur thought he would try his luck. to this day Arthur will still agree this was the best penny he EVER spent! Helen and Arthur was married at St Stephens Church, Egerton Street on 2nd April 1949. they had 3 children together; first came May,then Ann and last but not least Keith. Unfortunatly throughout Mays life her health has had its ups and downs, but May always remembers her mum by her side, holding her hand and with a smile on her face, this made everything O.K. Helen and Arthur and the children moved to Cowlishaw in around 1958 where they have lived happily ever after since. As a family they went on holday to Rhyl. It seemed half of Oldham holidayed in Rhyl as Helen knew most of the people there. Ann fondly remebers that it was on the way to one of these holidays that they needed to take an emergency toilet stop, and so pulled into a layby. After they set off again, it wasnt until some way up the road that they realised they had forgotten something! THIS SOMETHING TURNED INTO SOMEONE-----KEITH. Weather this was intentional or just wishful thinking they DID get him back. Helen worked hard in the card room at the mills, Monarch and Dee. She then went on to work for many years in the canteen at Osram. However, the job she worked at was being THE BEST wife, Mother Grandmother and Great gran. Not only did she succeed But she was Exceptional. Helen was Grandma to Joanne and Lesleyann. Joanne remebers her gran as always being happy and the excitement of sleeping over because the cupboards was always well stocked with goodies ready to tuck into. Lesleyann has memories of school dinner times as her gran lived only minites from her school. There was always a cooked dinner waiting for her and a friend. Everyone wanted to be that friend who could then indulge in one of helens homemade pies. Her love for her great granchildren was like no other. Helen adored the children and proudly spoke about them to everyone she met.Helen was great granmother to Georgia,Page,Charly, Savanna and Alexandra. Helen loved nothing more than a game of bingo and the odd tipple.One of Keiths Happy memories was an evening when he remembers hearing a commotion outside the house, as he went to investigate he realised it was his Mum and Dad having had a tipple or two, strolling down the lane hand in hand singing "show me the way to go home". smiling to himself to see how lovely it was to see his Mum and Dad happy and in love, he popped his back around the front door for another look. Only this time he saw Helen stood alone, laughing at her beloved husband.....who had fallen into a ditch!!! Helens door was Always open for a brew. something to eat, a chat,cry,anything.She was always there for anyone helping in anyway she could. As Arthur looks back Im sure he has LOTS of happy memories of many many happy times and may even reminisce at odd time. Helen put him in his place by throwing a pot or a pan at him because she was always right, even on the odd occasion she was wrong she was still right. In later life Helens life suffered, surviving 5 heart attacks, but never once did we hear her moan, she just wanted to get better and carry on being an eternally proud and loving Wife,Mum,Mum in law,Gran,Great gran,Aunty,Cousin,Neice,Neighbour and a true to friend to many. Just a few words from Helens family of how they described her, Feisty,Strong,Willed,Proud,Generous,But the three words which were repeated by all were Caring,Loyal,and Loving. Helen loved being around her family and friends, it was something she considered an essential element of her life. She loved the Company, the laughter, the cuddles and the joy of being with those she loved. When she wasnt in the company of her family, she happily talked about her love for them, her family and friends were certainly at the centre of this Wonderful ladies heart. Because of this Helen was never alone for very long and even on her passing the love that surrounded her was not just from the people who were there, but everyonewho had ever had the pleasure of being in her life. So whilst your hear reading about my Grandma im sure she would say, "Wipe away your tears of sadness and grieve not that i am no more, but rejoice and remember fondly that i once was" And with that on Behalf of the Horsfall Family i say Good night and god bless Grandma/Helen you will be missed and loved dearly forever.xxxxxx