Helen, a 7 ^th generation Californian was born on a farm in Glenn County to parents Anna and Roy Park. She spent the first part of her childhood there with visits to the family home in Santa Barbara. The family moved back there so Helen could attend Santa Barbara High School. She renewed childhood friendships and made many lifelong friends who she stayed in contact through the decades. She faithfully attended class reunions, two of which she brought her children along.

Encouraged by their mother, Helen and her sister Margaret were the first generation to attend college, despite the hardships during the depression years. Helen graduated from UC Berkeley in 1943 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. While there, she met her future husband Chet at a Student Co-op dance.

Soon after graduation she joined the Navy WAVES and went to work in Washington, DC following boot camp at  N.Y. City's Hunter College. After discharge in 1945 she moved back to Calif. and worked for the state in Sacramento. She married Chet in 1947. They made their first home in Oakland, one block from Lake Merritt which they visited often. Helen took several classes at the nearby California College of Arts and Crafts which began a long time pleasure in art.

Chet changed employers 3 times. Consequently the family moved from Northern to Southern Calif. and back again in 1954. While waiting for their tract home to be completed near Cupertino, at that time all fruit orchards, and only one other housing tract, they lived on a small farm in Sunnyvale.

Helen and Chet raised 2 children in Cupertino. Helen continued art classes and painting and sculpting at home as well as being active with Girl Scouts, PTA and as an ardent reader a weekly patron of the Bookmobile rain or shine. Summers were spent family tent camping across the Western US and Canada.

Helen was a lifelong walker and hiker beginning with a many mile walk to grade school with her sister, from the ranch to Hamilton City, then while in the Navy from housing in Virginia to her office in DC and until she was 97, a mile to her mailbox and sometimes the mile back. She did extensive research on her family history and genealogy sparked in part because she was the descendent of a many generations Santa Barbara family and great grand daughter one of that city's historic figures, George Nidever. She was an avid gardener and later became a Master Gardener. When her children were grown, she was able to travel with her sister to Australia, Papua New Guinea,, Scotland, London, France, Mexico and more. Helen and Chet took an Alaskan cruise for their 50 ^th wedding anniversary.

In the 70's Helen and Chet were founding members along with others who together bought 1200 acres of land in the Santa Cruz mountains. Much planning went into what is now the community of Las Cumbres. The majority of the property has been conserved in perpetuity from development.

They moved up there and Chet began building his dream house.  Helen led an active life with community social activities including a soup group, book club and weekly BBQ. She was an election poll worker, was on the work crew of trail parties and was a meter reader with the community owned water company. After Chet's death and despite some challenges with her eyesight, Helen lived alone there until mobility became a problem 2 years ago. Still, she continued to live at home with the help of an aide and son Dan.

Helen made lifelong treasured friends wherever she lived. She will be remembered for her quiet kindness and generosity. She will be missed by family and friends including her beloved Las Cumbres community.

Helen is predeceased by husband Chet, son David, sister Margaret Smith and niece Sharon Smith Klykken. Helen is survived by daughter Judi Sierra, son Dann Shapero, Granddaughter Crystal Starrock, Great Grandchildren Pavani/Trine, Theo, Richie and Sammy, and nephew Dennis Smith.

The family wishes to give special thanks to caregiver Sheini Tabakau.

If one is so inclined donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley in Helen's name.