Helene Kathryn Chan's Obituary
Helene passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at the age of 98. She grew
up in Grass Valley and enjoyed competitive sports as well as working for the school
yearbook. Helene also worked at The Unique store as a window decorator and a
fashion model. Later, she met and married the love of her life, George, and they were
married for 65 wonderful years. They settled in San Francisco and raised three
children–JoAnn, Georgiana, and Richard.
In her many years, Helene had a full and enriching life. She was artistically inclined,
creative in poetry writing and loved flowers, For several years, she worked as a florist
in San Francisco. After her time at a florist shop, she moved on to an executive position
at both Joseph Magnin and I. Magnin. Helene loved working at both exclusive stores.
During her many years at the Magnins, she developed long and lasting friendships with
her many friends at both stores. They maintained their friendships through the years
with many luncheon dates. She always remembered and talked about her dear friends.
Her family also remembers her gifts wrapped in the beautiful Magnin's gift boxes bound
with distinctive ribbons and decorative bands which surrounded the family's Christmas
tree filled with special and hand picked ornaments. Christmas was Helene's favorite
time of the year where she really enjoyed time with her extended family.
Helene enjoyed traveling in both the US and overseas. She also enjoyed ballroom
dancing and Tai Chi. In addition she was involved with many social groups. In her later
years, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and their children. In addition
to leaving behind her children, JoAnn, Georgiana and her husband-Kane, and Richard
and his wife-Sylvia, she leaves behind her grandchildren–Dr. Gregory (Claire), Dr.
Michelle (Andy), Christopher (Jennifer), Russell (Maggie), Allison (Freddy), Stephanie
(Adam) and Jeffrey (Wendy). Helene also leaves behind 12 great-grandchildren:
Gregory 'G2', Kiera, Miles, Lauren 'Mei Mei', Conner, Brennan, Landon, Cameron,
Keilani, Justin, Lauren, and Benjamin.
She was laid to rest in Mountain View Cemetery in a small family ceremony. Memorial
gifts in Helene's honor may be sent to Georgiana Wong, 3889 Silvera Ranch Dr, Dublin
CA, 94568. A donation may be made in Helene’s name to the Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. (Old First Presbyterian Church, Attn: Gina Withers, director of Doris Krauss Sr. Center, 1751 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94109) Lunches and activities at the Krauss Center, such as exercising, dancing, singing, jewelry making, knitting, and crocheting gave her a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment.
The family hopes the accompanying videos brings back fond memories of our mother and brings you comfort in remembering her as it does for us. (click on Photos & Videos, then click on Memorial Album and select the videos). Please use the Tribute Wall to share your thoughts and photos of our mother.
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