What is the relationship between John Wick and his wife, Helen?

John Wick is a character in the eponymous film series, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. Helen, John's wife, is deceased by the start of the first film. John and Helen had a close relationship, and her death was a significant factor in John's decision to come out of retirement and seek vengeance. Helen was suffering from a terminal illness when she met John, and the two married shortly after. They had a happy life together, but Helen's death left John in a state of grief and loneliness.

The relationship between John and Helen is explored further in the second film, where a flashback reveals that Helen had arranged for a puppy to be delivered to John after her death, as a way for him to cope with his loss. This puppy, along with the car that John inherited from Helen, is the catalyst for the events of the first film.