Helen Valerie Ryde

Helen was born in Cuckfield, England to Douglas Ryde (deceased) and Valerie Pearce Philpott on September 11, 1965. Helen died unexpectedly at home in Lake Junaluska, NC on September 2, 2025. Most of their growing up years were spent in Faversham, England. Helen is survived by their loving wife Kate Schiappa, their mother, Valerie Pearce Philpott, their sister Jane Ryde Unwin, their nephew Christopher Unwin, Stepmother Terry Ryde, Stepfather Michael Philpott, Stepsister Ellie Calderwood, Stepbrother Timothy Philpott, Stepbrother Toby Philpott, Great nieces Elodie and Hattie Unwin.

Helen pursued higher education at Canterbury Christ Church College (UK). They obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Social and Educational Studies and Religious Studies in 1993. They obtained a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (equivalent to a Masters in Education) in 1994. Helen taught at a boy’s school in the UK for a while. They applied for and received a Work Visa to come to the United States. They began teaching in Rutland, Massachusetts. It was there that Helen and Kate met in 2000. The couple moved to Provincetown, Massachusetts in 2005. Helen worked at a PNC Bank, as a trainer through technology. It was in Provincetown that Helen discovered a small membership church, the Providence United Methodist Church. Helen and Kate were fully accepted and nurtured by that church. As a couple they thrived in their community and church. Helen and Kate were married on the Cape Cod National Seashore in Provincetown, and their pastor officiated the ceremony on October 6, 2013. Their beloved dog, Bella, was the ringbearer in the ceremony.

Helen was intrigued by an ad for a position with Reconciling Ministries Network, an advocacy group for full inclusion of all people in the church and in society. Helen wanted to do more in their life. They knew they had more to give than leading training. They were hired and after many conversations, both Helen and Kate moved to the Southeast where the main part of Helen’s job was located. They moved to Western North Carolina in 2014. During the Covid pandemic, they moved to the Coast of NC and after the pandemic, came back to the mountains of Western North Carolina, where Kate currently resides. After 13 years on the RMN staff, Helen became a valued and cherished member of the team. They were an excellent organizer, teacher and trainer, and strong advocate for inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons and intersectional justice in the United Methodist Church and beyond. Helen had a gift of connecting with people and diverse groups. They were able to listen to others who had different beliefs. They reached out to anyone who was marginalized and offered compassion and encouragement. Helen possessed a joyful spirit, a delightful sense of humor, and a burning desire to make a difference in the lives of all people around them. Helen was a Home Missioner in The United Methodist Church. Helen belonged to Love first Haywood, an emerging faith community of The United Methodist Church.

In addition to their work and adventures with Kate, Helen loved being outdoors. Kate and Helen adored their dog, Bella. Helen fell in love with pickleball and loved to play. Helen and Kate completed the Coastal Camino pilgrimage with dear friends. They loved cooking, including offering YouTube sessions on how to cook the British way, always wearing their Union Jack apron as they illustrated their recipes and the finished products. During Covid, Helen raised money for RMN through their cooking classes in their kitchen.

Helen became a citizen of the United States on October 15, 2019. They were proud of their dual citizenship.

Helen’s vibrant spirit and their legacy of a powerful impact on the hearts and minds of hundreds of people will not be forgotten. On September 2, 2025, Helen Ryde, beloved Child of God, saw the Glory of God face to face and was received into God’s welcoming and everlasting embrace.

A Service to Celebrate Helen’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 2 p.m.at First United Methodist Church, Waynesville, North Carolina.

To honor Helen’s life and legacy, contributions may be made to the Helen Ryde Memorial Fund at United Community Bank, P.O. Box 162, Waynesville, NC 28786. These gifts will be used for projects at Lake Junaluska that celebrate Helen’s spirit and continue her work of building community.

The care of Helen has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville