Helen Frances Lagreco
Died: August 4, 2017, in Loma Linda
Born on Nov. 2, 1914, in Brooklyn, New York, Helen was the daughter of German immigrants who had come through Ellis Island in 1907. She was a graduate of James Madison High School and the Woman's Art School of Cooper Union in Manhattan. She married Charles J. Lagreco, a civil engineer graduate of Cooper Union School of Engineering, on Christmas Day, 1937.
In 1947, the family moved to California. They settled in San Bernardino, where they had three homes – on Muscupiabe Dr., Valencia Ave., and the last one, on Shahen Dr. designed by their son, architect Charles A. Lagreco. The homes were all built by Mr. Lagreco's firm, CAL Construction Co. They retired to Loma Linda; Helen's husband died there in 1998.
Helen had a full life as homemaker, mother, artist and volunteer. In 1962, she began volunteering for the American Field Service and worked as the Americans Abroad Coordinator for the five high schools in San Bernardino Valley. She was responsible for the selection process and received an award for her success in achieving a high quality of participants in the program, her notable organizing ability, and skill in recruiting other volunteers.
A talented artist, she continued to draw, paint and attend classes into her 90's; her many pastels, paintings and portraits continue to enrich the homes and lives of family and friends.
She is survived by a daughter, Lonna Lagreco Scott of St. Helena; a son, Charles Alan Lagreco, Architect and Professor of Architecture at University of Southern California School of Architecture, of Brentwood; a granddaughter, Erin Scott, Executive Director of Family Violence Law Center, of Oakland; and great granddaughter Chiara Mapp.
A memorial will be planned at a later date.