Jeff’s Corner: In Remembrance of Helene Young

Jeff Blom stands with Helene Young in front of the post office where she forwarded mail addressed to Peace Pilgrim.

Helene Young, Peace Pilgrims younger sister, recently had her transition to a freer living, as Peace would say. She was 105 years old. Many of us feel a great sense of loss for the passing of this wonderful and inspiring soul. 

Back around 1992 I had the honor and blessing of spending several days with Helene and her husband, Eugene, at their home in Cologne, NJ. What can I say about this delightful couple? They were deeply devoted to each other and in their love for Peace Pilgrim. Eugene compiled a scrapbook of Peace Pilgrim’s life, including many mementos from her 28 years of living in faith on the road. 

During my visit there, Helene and I rode together on her daily 10-mile bike trips through the surrounding countryside. We made our way to the grave of Peace Pilgrim, where we stopped in remembrance. We also went to the Renault Winery, where Mildred, the future Peace Pilgrim, had worked and where she got her younger sister a job that Helene kept for 50 years until her retirement. 

Helene explained to me that she long ago had seen a doctor when she started having difficulty getting around. The physician diagnosed blocked arteries and suggested bypass surgery. Helene told her doctor she decided not to have the operation; that she was going to seek alternative measures. Interestingly, the doctor gave his blessing. As part of her effort, Helene began riding her bike 10 miles every day, which she did until she was 100 years old! She also walked regularly, including as a dedicated volunteer doing daily trash pick-ups along the busy White Horse Pike that fronted her home.

Helene remained very devoted to her sister, whose mail she forwarded during the entire 28 years of the pilgrimage. Helene gave many talks about Peace and her mission, at various places including to prisoners in a Camden, NJ jail. When she was 100-years-old she participated in a 12-mile charity bike ride. But after her 101st birthday, she fell when her foot caught during one of her daily rides. Complications from that accident, combined with failing eyesight, forced her to stop riding outdoors for good. But she did continue pedaling on her indoor stationary cycle! 

Helene never moved to any kind of care facility, but rather, until her passing, lived in the same home in which she raised her children, supported her sister’s pilgrimage and gave back to the community as a March of Dimes advocate.    

The last few years we held our Friends of Peace Pilgrim board meeting at Helen’s house and had the delightful experience of her presence. Her mind was very clear until the end. She had a devoted live-in friend and caretaker, Sandy, who helped Helene continue her independent living until her passing just weeks short of her 106th birthday. 

We will ever be inspired by her presence, life and her devoted service to her sister.

See our Winter 2021 Newsletter #67, which is a tribute to Helene Young