Helen Marte Bautista

Helen Marte-Bautista May 1941 - February 2025

Helen, a beloved educator, performing arts advocate, and community leader, passed away in February 2025 in Cebu, Philippines. Helen dedicated her life to her family, to sharing Philippine culture in the United States, and to public education and service.

Born in May 1941 in Manila to Diosdado and Modesta Marte, Helen was raised in a home that valued education, faith, and community. Her father served as a cook in the U.S. Navy, and her mother, a schoolteacher active in the church and civic life, inspired Helen's lifelong commitment to service. When her mother passed away when Helen was only five, her extended family lovingly helped raise her while her father was at sea during World War II.

Helen began her educational journey at the Philippine Women's University, earning her Associate in Arts in 1959. At 18, she moved with her family to San Francisco, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and teaching credential from San Francisco State University, later completing a Master of Arts in Creative Arts in 1970. She also pursued advanced coursework in Special Education Administration at the University of San Francisco.

Helen's career with the San Francisco Unified School District spanned more than three decades. Early in her career, she served as a bilingual resource teacher, remedial reading specialist, and staff development leader. She later taught English, drama, and art at Abraham Lincoln High School from 1980 until her retirement in 2000, inspiring generations of students with her creativity, compassion, and dedication.

Beyond the classroom, Helen's influence extended deeply into civic and cultural life. She served as Commissioner for the San Francisco Public Library (2000-2008) and as Trustee of the American Library Trustee Association in Chicago (2002). Her passion for social justice and human rights was reflected in her leadership roles with the Kearny Street Housing Corporation (1986-2008) and the International Hotel Senior Housing Corporation (1998-2024), both dedicated to affordable housing and senior welfare.

Helen's advocacy also reached into international and community initiatives, including the Mayor's Protocol Office San Francisco/Manila Sister City Committee, the YWCA of San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo Counties, the Friends of the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women, and the Presidio Redevelopment Citizen Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Her service earned her numerous honors, including a Human Rights Award from the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and a Proclamation for Outstanding Public Service from Mayor Dianne Feinstein in 1984. In recognition of her accomplishments, Helen was included among the esteemed women featured in the 2006-2007 edition of Who's Who of American Women.

A gifted artist and choreographer, Helen helped bring multicultural dance to San Francisco's stages, performing and producing works that celebrated Philippine heritage. She choreographed the acclaimed Santa Cruzan Dance Drama and served as president of City Celebration, Inc., sponsor of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. She received the Dance-in-Residence Award (1968) and numerous recognitions for promoting cultural understanding through the arts. In her early twenties, she taught dance with the Mutya Silangan Dance Company, helping American-born Filipino youth connect with their cultural roots through traditional dance.

Helen remained deeply connected to her Filipina identity and community throughout her life. She served as president of the Philippine Women's University Alumni Association and held leadership roles in the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, the Fil-American Lions Club, and the Filipina Women's Network, among numerous educational and cultural organizations.
Despite her many achievements and interests, Helen's greatest joy was her family, especially her beloved granddaughters, Lillian and Katherine McGlade. She is survived by her daughter, Andreliz Bautista McGlade (Mark), and her sister, Faith Marte Krouger (Paul).

Helen's legacy endures through her family, her friends, her students, and the countless communities she enriched with her vision, generosity, and grace.

A memorial Mass honoring Helen will be celebrated at St. Cecilia Church in San Francisco at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026.