ARUBA — A renowned community volunteer died while scuba diving in Aruba on Christmas eve. Authorities told CDNN that Canadian tourist, Helen Budimir-Hussey, 54, of LaSalle, Canada, died after she encountered problems while diving with Dive Aruba owner Clive Paula off the Amigo dive boat. Witnesses said the woman signaled that she was having problems and wanted to ascend, and Paula, who doubles as captain and dive guide, resurfaced with her. At the surface, Paula climbed aboard the dive boat leaving the victim in the water as he removed his scuba diving equipment. He then turned back to help Budimir-Hussey and found her unconscious, floating face down in the water. Paula immediately pulled her aboard the dive boat and started CPR but it was too late. Community leader, volunteer Mother-of-three, Budimir-Hussey, was renowned as a community leader, founding member of the Rotary Club of LaSalle and a devoted volunteer and charity worker. As a volunteer, she worked for the Canadian Cancer Society, the Serbian Heritage Museum, the Serbian Women's Club and the Library. She was also the lead organizer of the town's annual Santa Claus parade. Friends described Budimir-Hussey as a "giver" who did many things to help the community. Her biggest passion was the Canadian Cancer Society where she worked for more than 30 years, first serving as the Essex County unit's manager and later as president of the unit's volunteer council. Co-workers said she believed that research was the key to curing cancer and worked tirelessly to raise awareness and money. | | Renowned community leader, Helen Budimir-Hussey, died while scuba diviing in Aruba on Christmas eve. In a sad irony, her eldest son died from a rare form of cancer in 2006 at the age of 21. Budimir-Hussey is survived by her husband Terry, her university-age son MacKenzie and her youngest son Dylan, an elementary school student. |
