Vale Helen Filov
The Perth advertising and media industry is in shock this morning following the tragic and sudden passing of Helen Filov, one of our most popular and loved media professionals.
Helen died yesterday after only being diagnosed with Leukemia within the past three weeks. She was receiving treatment in hospital but died from complications that arose from her treatment.
Helen was the highly regarded Group Business Manager at Channel Nine Perth, were she had worked for the past 9 and a half years. Prior to that, she had had a long career working in the media departments of Perth ad agencies including Clemenger, Intoto and Initiative, where she was Senior Media Group Head from 2002 to 2005.
We recently celebrated twenty years of the Oasis Ball with her. Helen was part of the inaugural Oasis committee (pictured below) and succeeded Evelyn Robinson as its Chair in 1998.
Our deepest sympathy to her family, close friends and colleagues at Channel 9.
46 Comments
A tragic loss of one of the most beautiful people I have ever known.
My deepest sympathy to Helen’s family and to all the many people who love her.
This is the saddest news.
Love you Helen xxx
Hels was the nicest person to have ever worked in this industry and a mentor to so many young people. It was a pleasure to have known you Hels.
Deepest sympathy to Tom, Lauren and Matt.
Helen was the nicest person I have ever met in the industry. She had time for everyone and was genuine and sincere in her care for others. As my media buyer for Bankwest she was without peer. So sad to hear this news and my condolences to her family and her colleagues over the years. The world is a lesser place without her.
Hels you will be missed dearly. My heart breaks for your family. Rest in peace beautiful lady and thank you for your friendship and support over the years. I’m a better person to have met and had the opportunity to work with you xxxx
Helen was one of the most kind and friendly people I have ever met. Nothing was too hard for her. She always had time for everyone and genuinely cared about everyone she worked with. My deepest condolences to her family and to her colleagues, you are in our thoughts and prayers. You will be sorely missed Helen.
A beautiful, well respected and much loved lady taken way too soon. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues at 9. My heart goes out to you all xo
Such sad, shocking news. Beautiful Helen, you will be sorely missed. Thank you so much for everything you have done for so many people. I wouldn’t be in a media agency if it hadn’t have been for you. Sincere condolences to your family, friends and Channel 9 colleagues.
You were the best, Hels! We will all miss you dearly…
My deepest sympathy to Tom, Lauren and Matt, may God bless you.
Helen was a beautiful soul, terrific Mum and great to work with. My condolences to her family at this very sad time.
I shed a tear when I read of the sudden passing of Helen; someone I remember so very fondly from the good old days at Clemenger. Helen was one of those rare people that always rocked up to work full of beans and joie de vivre. We shared many a good laugh and I deeply respected her advice when it came to planning and buying media. One of the best in the industry has been taken from us at far too young an age. I send my deep-felt and sincere condolences to her family, many friends and colleagues.
A really nice person who helped me learn the business 15 years ago. Thanks Helen. Rest in peace.
Helen was an inspiration to so many people. All those wonderful qualities that made her the special person that she was, will be sorely missed. It was an honor to have known such a caring, intelligent and charming lady with such a beautiful heart. Our lives are richer for having known her. Helen was taken from us far too soon and we will miss her terribly. Deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues at 9.
Words cannot express the sadness I feel at the loss of a great human being. Helen you will be sorely missed by all. You were a delight to work with and I know your past and present mates at Nine must be suffering deeply. My heart goes out to your friends and especially your family.
Devastating to hear of Helen’s passing.
A more selfless and caring person you will not find.
Sincere condolences to Tom, Lauren and Matty and her colleagues at 9.
We are all the better for having had Helen in our lives.
Rest in Peace Hels
Betsy
Helen was a wonderful woman, genuine, warm and generous. All these qualities were combined with a great brain and wicked sense of humour………..I’m devastated to have heard this news, we’ll all miss you and pray for peace for you and your family.
God bless
I remember how sweet and kind Helen was to me at my first job in the industry so long ago, Intoto (Clem Perth). She was a lovely lady and my deepest sympathies to her family. Very sad. 🙁
There are only great words and wonderful memories for you Helen. Sincere condolences to Tom, Lauren & Matt and your second family at Channel 9. Thank you for everything over many years and I’ll always remember your kind soul and the laughs we had. Rest in peace Helen love Louise xxxx
A sincere and beautiful woman. I am too shocked for words. I will miss you dear friend. x
Our darling Hels, taken away from us way too soon, Nine has lost one of its best, it just won’t be the same with out our “work mum”, life mentor, rev queen and more than anything a friend who has made a difference to each of us one way or another. Deepest sympathy goes out to Tom, Lauren & Matt. Heaven has got an angel up there looking over us now, we will always hold our Helsbells close to our hearts. RIP Helen xxx
To quote a line from a song written by Imelda May ~ “I’m too sad to cry” ~
Helen – you leave behind many memories of happy days, your willingness to help out and see the best in everyone.
RIP HelsBels xx
Helen was a beautiful soul who will be sadly missed by all who new her. RIP!
Such a wonderful, sincere and caring soul.
You were so kind to me from my first day in this industry.
A devastating loss. Condolences to Hels family and colleagues at 9.
So sad to hear this news today, condolences to her family and everyone close to her. She was a great person who was always full of joy and good times.
Helen, you are such a beautiful soul and one of a kind. Very sad to hear of your passing. You were always so lovely to me and genuine. A real friend. Condolences to Tom, Lauren & Matthew. Although you have passed Helen you will never be forgotten.
It is sad to contemplate a world without Helen. Always happy, always enthusiastic and always eager to help anyone in need. A truely remarkable person and inspriational friend. My heart aches at the loss.
My deepest smpathy to Helen’s family and her many many friends.
I am truly shocked, what a beautiful person.
A true professional and a lady full of class.
RIP Helen
There’s just no words to convey the shock and sadness at losing Helen. My heart breaks for Tom, Lauren and Matthew. A beautiful, caring, awesome lady, loved and respected by all, taken way too soon. Sleep peacefully dear Helen. You will be so missed, always remembered. xx
Helen was a beautiful caring person who had an amazing warm personality that made her loved by everyone.At work she was the consummate professional (I did try to steal her away from the opposition many times). Helen will be remembered forever as a truly amazing person who was loved and admired by everyone. RIP Helen xx
Unbelievable news, still in shock! What an amazing lady, one of the true good guys of the industry. A completely selfless person who even in her hospital bed was sending messages of best wishes for our pending move from Welshpool to Jandakot. Helen we will miss your beautiful nature, that welcoming smile, that caring chat and the feeling that all was good in the world after any catch up!
Gone but not forgotten…
RIP Hels.
A kind and generous woman always thinking of others. Deepest condolences to Helen’s family and friends.
It was a privilege and honour to know you Helen.
Terribly sad news. An industry inspiration merely through her beautiful attitude. Much too young to be taken away.
Deepest sympathy to Helen’s family and friends.
RIP
So Sudden, So Sad.
I remember when I returned to 9 Helen said to me, “so good to see your signature at the bottom of an email again…”
A simple but lovely sentiment from a lovely amazing lady and you and your signature will be greatly missed. I am glad to have known you.
Condolence to the Filov Family and Ch9 Family.
RIP Hels
You could feel the sadness in the air today…so many heartbroken friends putting on such a brave face. Sending love and healing hugs to Helen’s family and dear friends. Rest peacefully Helen xx
Our darling Hels, taken from us much too soon. A inspiration, mentor, mother, wife, friend and colleague who impacted every life she touched. Your smile, laugh and integrity will be greatly missed! Nine has lost a true angel and heaven has gained one. My deepest sympathy to Tom, Lauren and Matt. RIP beautiful Hels Bells, forever in our hearts xxx
This is just the saddest news and my heart goes out to her family. We will all remember Hels as the nicest, most positive, woman of compassion and integrity.
We are so devastated at the loss of such a wonderful person. A very sad time for our industry
Trevor Cochrane
My deepest condolences to Helen’s family and Channel 9. She was one of a kind, a brilliant and fun person who will be incredibly missed by all who knew her. My thoughts go out to her family and everyone in Perth. RIP. Adam
Words will never do justice to what an incredible person Hels was. The most caring and genuine person I have ever met. Always doing the absolute most for everyone and leaving a trail of inspiration wherever she went. Our hearts are breaking, but we could only have our Angel until she had to return to her own. The world is a better place for having had her in it. All my love and thoughts to Tom, Lauren and Matt. Love you Hels xxxx
Helen, my dear friend, we will all miss you so much. But your smile and cuddle will live in our hearts. xxx Jane
This is such sad and shocking news. Helen was one of the most gentle and generous people I’ve ever met. She always made time for everyone, had the best advice and was so nurturing to all of us during my time at Intoto. My heart goes out to Channel 9, her friends and family. RIP Helen xxx
‘You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give’, and no one gave more of themselves than Hels.
She refreshed our souls and enlarged our hearts with a purity of compassion and joy.
While Hels family, friends and colleagues will at this time suffer the greatest sorrow and grief. We are also the most fortunate. For we have been the ones most gifted with her grace. Lay witness to the honesty of her kindness and caring. Thrived from her wisdom, and been embraced in her love.
Our heartfelt love and sympathy to Tom, Lauren, Matt and all she touched.
RIP our angel Hels. Love eternally JD, Ange, Ry, Georgie & Macy xxxxx
It’s hard to find the right words to express how terribly sad this is. Helen was a uniquely special person and it is simply not fair that she is no longer here to brighten this world, and the lives of all those fortunate enough to know her.
Tom, Lauren and Matt – I hope that when you look into a mirror you can see her there. See the people that Helen’s love made. And know that her love will always be part of who you are.
My sympathy also to her many friends, and to her family at nine.
Rest in peace Hels Bels x
Hels, you were a gorgeous friend and admired professional – Your warm, genuine nature mixed with that cheeky sense of humour will be sorely missed. Such a special, beautiful lady – my heart goes out to your family and the huge network of friends you have, who were all better off for having known you. We are devastated to lose you but will remember you with big smiles and fond memories always xxx
Hels was the most can-do person that I ever had the pleasure to meet. I know that everyone who came into contact with her, experienced, at some stage, her generosity, support, wisdom and positivity. She will be sorely missed but always loved. Like many others, I am feeling pretty numb this week. Deepest sympathy to Tom, the kids, and Hel’s family and colleagues. Makka and family.
Such dreadful news. It’s been a long time since the JRA and Clemenger days, but my time working with Helen remains a special memory. Helen was always so … sparkly… in her appearance and her personality, that it couldn’t help but lift the spirits of the people around her.
Sincere condolences to Tom, the family and all of Helen’s colleagues, past and present, who will be feeling the loss of this beautiful lady.
So sad to hear about Helen. Fond memories from the days of JRA and Clemenger. Condolences to Tom and family. The rainbow has another colour now.