Helen Mahoney obituary
My wife, Helen Mahoney, who has died aged 45 from breast cancer, was a project manager and consultant. She spent her career working with arts charities across the north of England, with a particular focus on improving access to music and cultural events.
Helen was a strong believer in social justice and that everyone should be able to enjoy the arts and creative activities.
As well as working with organisations such as Opera North, Drake Music and Live Music Now, Helen also had concern for the people involved in running these projects. In 2022 she completed a master’s in social research at York University, graduating with a distinction. Her dissertation looked at the impact on the arts professionals delivering such things, and how they might be better supported.
While she loved North Yorkshire, she was acutely aware of the issue of rural isolation. Her work had moved towards improving opportunities to help cultural industries thrive in the countryside. In recent years Helen and I had established our own company – Ryedale Creative – and at the time of her death were working on a range of feasibility studies focusing on creative rural centres.
Helen loved dance and performance, and was constantly dreaming up projects, including running Coquette, a successful burlesque and cabaret night in York, for a number of years. She also performed in burlesque events across the country, and had an affinity for ballet and Bollywood dancing.
Born in Bridgend, south Wales, to Liz (nee Williams), a nursery nurse, and Barry Mahoney, a pilot, Helen went to Porthcawl comprehensive school. She then pursued her love of the written word, studying English at Cardiff University, where she and I met in 1998, becoming a couple in 2002.
After graduating with a first in 2001, Helen studied for a postgraduate diploma in arts management at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama the following year. In 2005 we moved to Yorkshire, where we made our home in the countryside around Ryedale and the Howardian Hills. Helen and I married in 2009.
She was a phenomenal mother, a friend to many, a loving daughter and sister, and the best partner anyone could wish for.
Helen is survived by me, our son, Noah, her parents and her sister, Carol.
