Helen Nellie Walker, 78, of Sebastian, passed away on Jan. 9, 2016.
She is survived by her loving husband Robert; two wonderful sons, Robert Jr. and Michael; her mother Alexandra at 97 years; sister Valerie; and brothers John and Alex all still living in Australia.
Walker was born in Kiev, Ukraine on Sept. 27, 1937 to parents John and Alexandra Mahl. They resided in Kiev until the early 1940’s when they were forced to flee because of religious persecution by the Russian government.
She immigrated with her family to Germany then to Italy, and subsequently traveled by boat to Australia where they settled eventually in the Cessnock area of New South Wales in 1949.
After completion of her formal schooling, she traveled to Germany to attend an International Hair Dressing school. During her stay she met and married her husband of 53 years, Robert H Walker, who was stationed with the Air Force in Darmstadt, Germany.
She accompanied her husband with their new born son Robert Jr., to the United States in 1963 settling in Albany, Ga., where they resided until her husband was re-assigned to Okinawa. She joined her husband later in Okinawa, and to follow-on assignments over the years to Germany, Philippines, and locations throughout the states, including Texas where her second son Michael was born in 1971.
She and her family settled down in Melbourne, Fla., after her husband’s retirement from the Air Force in 1980. Her final move was to Sebastian in 1984 where she resided until her death.
Walker loved to cook and she was great at it. She made great cheese cake, meat balls and gravy, chicken adobo, cabbage rolls, and many other great dishes. Most of which she learned on her own.
She also had a great eye for design, and how to decorate her house with many knick knacks, statues, stuffed animals and flower arrangements. She loved Christmas angels and wise men, and she would try to buy a new one every year to display in the house during the holidays.
Her love of music ranged from country to soft rock, and songs in her mother tongue of Russian and German. But her favorites were songs by the Swedish group “Abba,” especially the song “Dancing Queen” which she was trying to learn to play by ear on her keyboard.
She was fluent in German, Russian and English. She talked to her Mum in Australia often in Russian, since her Mum struggled with English at times. The last few years were stressful for Walker as she had to place her Mum in a 24-hour care facility and sell her home and all of her Mum’s possessions. She loved her Mum deeply, seeing her Mum’s ailing health took a toll on Walker as well. She spent many months in Australia taking care of her. We all miss her so much. She gave all of herself to her family. She can rest now. She is in a loving place with her Lord.
A Gathering will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at Seawinds Funeral Home, Sebastian with a Memorial Service to follow at 2 p.m.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.seawindsfh.com.
“Her memory will live on forever in my heart. Jan. 26, 2016 is our 54th wedding anniversary. It is with much sorrow and sadness we won’t be able to celebrate that date together. In loving memory, your husband, Robert H. Walker”