同事遽逝

週一（1/15）一早到公司，還在走道上就聽到同事說：「Helene過世了！」「怎麼會，我上週還見到她，好好的！」⋯⋯事後的消息得知，好像是跌倒了，肩膀受傷瘀血，導致突然過世，⋯⋯她才63歲呀。

Helene在公司已經服務了22年，算是老資格，卻不會倚老賣老。她平時努力工作，低調行事，早到早走，常露微笑，言語時帶幽默，表情偶有慧黠。她對每一個人都很好，常常在節日的時候，如情人節、復活節、萬聖節、感恩節、聖誕節等傳統的美國節日，會靜靜地放些小禮物、小卡片、小糖果在所有同事的桌上，給同事們一個驚喜，給一天帶來一個溫馨的開始。她也會主動地籌組一些生日派對，為特殊事件準備卡片傳遞簽名等。我每年在公司會辦個農曆新年的展示，推廣文化，偶爾需要一些裝飾品，例如去年是雞年，我需要一些雞的擺飾，才與她隨口說說，第二天一早，我的桌上已經有了一堆與雞有關的小飾品，就是她的慷慨提供。

Helene對人很好，是她一視同仁的待人處事。相較於有些人對人好，是表面浮相的、是做作虛偽的、是看膚色口音的、是有差別待遇的，也有人根本不會對人好，Helene則是發自內心、沒有分別的仁愛眾人。印度裔的Ambu回憶到；「當我轉到別組、移到別地和她道別時，她從牆上拿下一幅圖畫給我說：『這個給你』，並說那是從她媽媽那裡來的。之後，她也曾送來一封電子郵件：『嗨Ambu，只是想向妳問個好，希望一切都安好。妳肯定很忙，無需回覆，只想讓妳知道，組內同仁都很懷念妳！』這就是Helene，自然的體貼、無私的關懷，也不會給人任何壓力。」

Helene愛喝冰水，一年四季都喝著冰水。公司有個製冰塊機，常見不少美國人，不論春夏秋冬，每天早上、下午都要來拿冰塊，Helene也是一位每日必到製冰塊機前報到的人。拿冰塊、喝冰水大概是美國人的文化吧。她身材過胖，呈菱形，似乎也不愛運動（有些美國人愛看運動卻未必愛做運動），身材一直如此的超過走樣，是潛在的危害健康的因素吧。

週四（1/18）是她的告別式，同事約二十人參加了她的追禱會。在Beltsville的天主教堂，追禱儀式還有點繁瑣，但兩小時也就結束了。原來Helene是天主教徒，或許這是她平易近人、博愛世人的原因吧！神父在臺前說著往生者的生前種種，她的奉獻精神、她的才能技藝、她的民胞物與、他的慈悲心腸。我想著「我心靈得安寧」（It is well with my soul）這首歌， Helene正在天上，心靈安寧地看著我們、庇護著我們吧。

《2018年1月22日於華府》

From: Ambu 
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2018 5:32 PM
To: IT TM
Subject: RE: Sad News...Helene Boroch Passing

I am deeply saddened by this news.

Helene was a dear friend to everyone in the team and those of us in TO had the opportunity to experience her selfless nature.

On a Christmas/New Year’s/Valentine’s day, Helene would have done the rounds before everyone came and would have placed a little surprise on our desks. She started the birthday cake every month to celebrate birthdays. And many a baby shower cake was sponsored by her.

When I went to say goodbye to her as I was moving to Plaza, she took a wall painting from her desk wall and said, “This is for you”. I think she said it is from her mother.

I am sharing one of the emails she sent after I left the TM team.

Hi Ambu,

Just thought I’d drop you a note to Say Hi.

Hope all is well

You are not forgotten!

Bet you are busy

No need to reply – just wanted to let you know you are kindly thought of!

Helene

That is Helene for you, so caring with no expectations.

Helene, you will be missed. It was a privilege to have known you and I will always treasure the gift you gave me.

With all the loving remembrances by your friends, I am sure you are resting in peace.