Brenda Helu's Obituary
Born in Niagara Falls, NY, raised in Syracuse, NY, Brenda Mae Mt. Pleasant Helu, 81 years young, peacefully passed away in the Empath Hospice Home - Palm Harbor, Florida, on Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at 4:11am. As the youngest daughter of five, she will join her parents, Wendell and Lola Mt. Pleasant; her eldest sister, Joan; next eldest sister, Myrna; and her brother, Russell, in heaven. She is survived by her third eldest sister, Elaine; and immediate family, husband, Sione Helu; children- Nanisi Helu (deceased husband, Fred Alexander), Viliami Helu (mother of children, Monique Zinkovitch) and Salote (Helu) van Deutekom (husband, Eric); and her grandchildren- Alexis, Alex and Allison Zinkovitch-Helu; Kyah, Tyler and Tehya van Deutekom; and Ofa Helu.
Brenda worked at Upstate Medical Center for over 20 plus years, in the pediatric clinic as a lab technician (phlembotomist), always doting on her children and grandchildren. She was always finding ways to entertain and keep all of her (grand)children involved in their sports and social activities, often traveling throughout all of NY State, the east coast and occassionally the western states. She instilled family values, being there for your loved ones, enjoying life the best you can, and to keep going no matter how hard things may be.
In the recent three years, due to health issues, she relocated to Palm Harbor, Florida, to live with Eric/Salote’s family and be closer to Nanisi. (Viliami living out west.) Upon moving to Florida, Brenda began to live life again the way she did when her children and grandchildren were younger, taking in as many adventures and outings as she could.
Brenda throughout her life, loved and enjoyed camping with the family, traveling for her (grand)children’s sport events, reading books, crocheting, sewing, puzzles, listening to music, going to church, laying out in the sun, going to the movies (enjoying the popcorn), playing tennis, getting in the water to exercise (pool, lake or ocean), going to Pow Wow’s in addition to learning and absorbing her Native American culture, watching the Yankees, Bills and all things tennis, along with so much more. She absolutely LOVED her fur babies over the years- Prince, Meesha, Smokey, Chubs, (Tar)Baby, Bear along with her extended fur babies- Dulcey, DJ, Oreo, Holly, Faegan, Dixie, Mazikeen, Seraphina, Aurora, King, Mina, Gino and Lucy. She was an avid Facebook/Instagram connisseur and enjoyed reconnecting with loved ones and friends while keeping up with her children, grandchildren, family, and friends along with all of “the things” she would get to see and learn about that interested her.
In her last month of life, Brenda made the decision to have a TAVRS procedure done to help her heart pump the blood better. She made this decision in the hopes to live the next ten years a little better health wise. Unfortunately, while this procedure was a success, the side effects and aftermath combined with her other health issues lead to her remaining in the hospital, fighting through additional health complications outside her kidney disease, diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis, heart failure and more. When all hope was initially lost, her cardiologist and nephrologist advised her that she could fight and still enjoy life after a few tough weeks, but there was hope. She decided to fight - going through different dialysis treatments and receiving a pace maker. So close to getting to the next step for healing- she was knocked down again and the only way to come back was additional procedures that only led to more pain and coming through with her quality of life diminshed greatly. It was then she made the decision to choose her! No more procedures, no more pain, comfort only. Thankfully, the doctors and nurses heard her and helped her to stabilize so she could be transported to Empath’s Hospice Home in Palm Harbor where just over five days later she would pass, peacefully and loved with her family by her side. She was never alone.
In Brenda’s final days, she made many people smile/laugh, defied odds, taught many new songs/poems/quotes/sayings, shared beautiful stories, brought her friends/family together, and taught us all how important it is to know it is ok to say when.
What’s your fondest memory of Brenda?
What’s a lesson you learned from Brenda?
Share a story where Brenda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Brenda you’ll never forget.
How did Brenda make you smile?