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Helen Allen Obituary
Born in 1942, Helen grew up in Los Angeles, attended UCSB, and graduated from UCLA. She married Dick Allen in the mid-60s. In 1970, they adopted their son, Michael, and the family moved to San Francisco. There they opened the Wine and Cheese Center, one of the earliest and most successful wine and cheese stores in the city. In the 80s, Helen moved to Oregon and helped develop Le Panier, a pioneer chain of excellent French bakeries.
With the passing of her second husband, Hubert Loevenbruck, in 2004, Helen returned to San Francisco. She immersed herself in the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society and served on its Board for over 10 years.
Always vibrant, Helen traveled in the last 10 years to Antarctica, Argentina, Turkey, Laos, Vietnam, Japan and the west coast of Africa. She concluded each trip with a visit to Hubert's family in France. Her last trip took her to the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem.
Helen was a loving mother, a devout Catholic, and a compassionate volunteer. She will be missed.
There will be a Memorial Mass on Friday, September 7, 11:00, at St. Agnes Church, San Francisco. Visitation with the family at 10:00.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Allen
6 Entries
PHILIPPE FOUILLOUX
October 12, 2023
Helen was a great person, i did some trade with her around 1980, with french cheese, and she was always welcoming . Hubert her second husband was also in contact with me. RIP
Angela Berk
January 6, 2019
Hi, I loved your Mom! I colored her hair for 17yrs! Ive missed seeing her so I called and her phone was disconnected. I googled her name and lit led me to here.
Im saddened; my heart is heavy and I know you must miss her so much.
She was such a breath of happiness in my day. I would hug her so tightly each time I saw her.
Wed laugh about her sitting still. She had such a hard time so Id give her pacing breaks.. I will miss her terribly. and Im so sorry for your loss.
Helen and I at her home, September 2016
Mary Ann Strandell
August 21, 2018
It's with a sad heart I write this small note to share my deepest condolences to Helen's son Michael, her wonderful sister Betsy, to Eleanor and her loving family. I was blessed to get to know Helen well, in the last 14 years, after Betsy had made introductions years ago. Helen and I had a wild and grand time attending art fairs, museums, studio visits, et all. She was a shinning star in our community of artists, curators and the art-world cadre. She loved life, and gave it her all- with vim, vigor and great passion. Along with my husband Michael Rees, we will miss her so much. Forever in my heart, yours, Mary Ann Strandell
August 18, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. May you receive strength and comfort from God. "He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you." - 1Peter 5:10
peter Wise
August 17, 2018
God's peace to Helen, family, and so many St. Vincent de Paul Society friends. She saw Christ in the face of the poor. How blessed she was.
Lola
August 17, 2018
My heart is with the Allen family as they cope with the sorrow and grief that this loss has brought upon them. May you all continue to enjoy your loving and happy family memories and remember to consult the Holy Scriptures to fortify yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14)
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