Helen von Ammon

Helen von Ammon

Aug. 02, 1922 – Jan. 31, 2014

Silent clouds drift by,

I long to be in their midst,

And spin my dream yarn.

Helen von Ammon was born Mary Helen Mills in Pembroke Ga.  to Daniel B. and Gusie May Mills.  Her husband,  Bernard von Ammon, predeceased her.   She is survived by her sister,  Julia Smithson,  and three nephews.

Helen's early life was spent in the South, where conditions during the Great Depression shaped values she held throughout her life.  She  was a benefactor of the San Francisco Symphony, supported San Francisco Ballet's creation of new and exciting ballets,  and was a great fan of the  Smuin Ballet where she underwrote numerous cutting-edge ballets. Helen also established a fund at Noontime Concerts to nurture  emerging artists. Helen's love of minerals and her donations to the Academy of Science were also a source of pride to her.

Helen worked as a secretary for the CIA in many parts of the world, including Iran, Germany, North Africa, and for Mrs. Douglas MacArthur in occupied Japan.

Helen's  artistic achievements included designing and knitting unique colorful garments, made from yarns that she spun herself from exotic fibers such as quivuit from musk ox, angora from her rabbits and alpaca.  Her beautiful and dramatic oil paintings depict her travels and life.  Her children's books about rabbits and the feeding and care of  Alaskan musk ox are a delight,  as is her poetry.

Helen's ashes will be scattered at sea February 12, 2014.  Friends are invited to join.  (Please call Jan Minar at 415 345 3118).

Friends may remember Helen with a memorial gift to Noontime Concerts, 660 California St,  San Francisco,  94108.