THE CO-FOUNDER of Wychbold Fudge has passed away after losing her brave cancer battle.
Helga Peeters, who was just 36, formed the company with husband Justin Bowen five years ago.
She continued in her main job as a financial analyst as well as raising the couple’s two young children Bren, seven, and Seren, five, and becoming a parish councillor.
Then three years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer which spread to her brain a year later and just weeks after the launch of Droitwich Salt Fudge.
Justin said: “The cancer had also spread to her lower abdomen and so we knew at that time it was incurable.
“However, she underwent ongoing to treatment to contain the disease which appeared to be working and we hoped for many more years together.
“She continued to support me with the business, carried on working in her main job as well as being a fabulous mother to our children throughout her treatment.”
Helga accompanied Justin to the Droitwich Food Festival this year and on July 4 she was given the news her brain tumours were under control and she could begin driving again, having been unable to for two years.
But then just two days later the couple were told the cancer had spread to her liver and her lungs and no further treatment could be given.
The disease quickly took over her body, until she passed away yesterday.
She died peacefully and surrounded by people who loved her.
Helga was born and grew up in Antwerp and met Justin 16 years ago playing online computer games.
They met up a year later and after getting together Helga moved to live with Justin in Worcester and then in Wychbold five years ago.
Just four weeks after arriving in the UK she got a job with multi-national software company IMFOR where she undertook a number of roles.
Her latest one was as a financial analyst – a job she was still doing until a week before she passed away.
Justin added: “The outpouring of support from people far and wide has been testament to how wonderful she was.
“We will miss her terribly, but part of her legacy will be that with the amazing support of our local community, Wychbold Fudge will continue to grow and thrive.
“We just ask that people bear with us as we take the time to grieve as a family.”
The family are hoping the community will join them soon in celebrating Helga’s life.
