Helen Baido-Longao Helmlinger's Obituary
Remembering Helen Baido-Longao Helmlinger: The Life of the Party, Celebrated and Cherished
In the heart of everyone who knew her, Helen Baido-Longao Helmlinger, aged 52, is a beacon of love, joy, and genuine warmth to all. Born on April 30, 1971, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Roy and Gertrude Longao, Helen's life was a remarkable journey of caring, selflessness, and adventure.
Growing up, Helen, the oldest of the three sisters, was expected to be a pillar in her family because Roy, her father, was often gone, and therefore she was automatically deemed Mommy's Little Helper. This expectation and title undoubtedly caused some angst with her sisters Carin and Ann. To them she was just the Bossy Big Sister who was telling them what to do all the time. Her life with her younger siblings ranged from childhood antics to the complexities that adult sibling relationships often entail. In the end, Helen and her sisters' bond was a tapestry of love, laughter, and mutual care for one another. Carin and Ann found wonderful, caring, and hard-working husbands, Jace and Randy respectively, that many say are too good to be true, especially their mother-in-law Gertrude. From those relationships, Helen's family extended to include her nieces, Cara and Ariana, and her nephew Joshua, each of whom she cherished and nurtured with all her heart.
She graduated from President William McKinley High School in the Class of 1989, where she was an active participant in the school's activities and served as the president of the school's band. She was a proud band geek, playing the Clarinet alongside her best friend Jeff, a relationship that continued throughout her life with many staycations together at Aulani and Waikiki. While at school, she met many other close friends like Lorna and Ivan.
Her early working career began with humble beginnings at the Crackseed Store in Ala Moana, working for Mrs. Kam. Mrs. Kam was a demanding boss and made Helen cry on her first day of work. Helen learned a great deal from Mrs. Kam and applied those hard-learned lessons to her daily life, especially in customer service and determination. One evening, while attending a school function, Dwight and Kay Okumoto of Studio 3 Photographics, who were hired to take pictures at the event, noticed Helen directing and interacting with the students. This marked the beginning of a 10-year employment relationship with the Okumotos, and lifelong friendship. Along the way, with her love for all things Disney, she eventually found herself as an associate at the center stage of the Disney Store at Ala Moana, where she greeted people with a smile and folded a lot of clothes. Finally, emphasizing her great smile and desire for others to have their own, she became a receptionist for Scott K. Takiguchi's dentist office in Honolulu.
During all her time of working nearly every day, somehow Helen managed to earn a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Hawaii Pacific University in 2006. Helen's pursuit of worldwide adventures was as vibrant as her pursuit of her academics. Helen, with her best friend Philip and schoolmates, traveled all over the world, experiencing great trips to Italy, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, China, Japan, and even an Alaskan cruise.
Her career path, revolving around financial aid, began in 2000 at Hawaii Pacific University as a financial aid counselor. She took her knowledge of the financial aid system to the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and University of Hawai’i West Oahu. After years of persistent work, in 2016 she became the Director of Scholarships at John A. Burns School of Medicine, UH Manoa. Her career is a testament to her life's dedication to helping others achieve their dreams while also meeting lifelong friends, Tracie, Janice, Colleen, Jodie, Stacie, just to name only a few.
Helen's love story with Aaron Helmlinger, whom she married on July 25, 2020, was nothing short of a
modern fairytale. From a serendipitous online encounter on Plentyoffish.com to a proposal in the most unconventional of settings, on a portable toilet in her mom's bedroom, and culminating with a not so dream wedding during a global pandemic, their love story was uniquely theirs, filled with laughter, sincerity, and deep affection.
A soul known for being Mommy's Little Helper, Bossy Big Sister, a nurturing aunty, a supportive wife, and a best friend, Helen's roles in life were as numerous as they were impactful. Her love for photography, captured in the countless memories she preserved of food and friends, and her passion for travel, which saw her traversing the globe, reflected her zest for life and her insatiable curiosity. Helen was the life of the party, her kind-hearted nature touching everyone she met. She was considerate to a fault, always placing the needs and happiness of others above her own. Her move to Nebraska was a significant step, taken out of love for her husband Aaron and his family, showcasing her unwavering commitment and love.
Her departure on November 28, 2023, has left an undeniable void in the hearts of her loved ones. Helen is lovingly remembered by her husband Aaron, her mother Gertrude, her sisters Carin and Ann, her beloved brother-in-laws, nieces and nephew, and a wide circle of friends and family spread across the globe. Helen's Celebration of Life, to be held Kaneohe, Hawaii on February 24th starting at 10am. The celebration will be a testament to her vibrant spirit. As we bid farewell to Helen, let's hold close her message of love, her contagious laughter, and her endless capacity for caring.
Helen, your journey through this world was a gift to us all. Your legacy of kindness, joy, and unconditional love will continue to inspire us. We miss you deeply, and until we meet again, know that you are cherished in every memory, every picture taken, and every heart you've touched.
Farewell, Helen. You were, indeed, a true light in our lives.
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