Helen Dudum

Helen Grace DudumPassed away quietly and peacefully, in her home on June 2, 2014, surrounded by several family members. She fought a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer. She is preceded in death by her husband, Said Nicola Dudum, who passed away in 1990. She grew up in Florida and moved to San Francisco when she married in 1956. She worked at home raising her four children and worked outside the home in the family business. She is survived by a son, Nicola and three daughters, Hilda Dudum-Herrera, Judy Dudum, and Leila Bajalia. She had eight grandchildren: Isam, Samia, and Renna Ayyash, Nicole Dudum, Michael and Anthony Bajalia, Saideh Martha and Omar Said Herrera. At age 40, she started college at City College of San Francisco, and transferred to San Francisco State University. She took many classes with her husband and a few with her children, and enjoyed her college years. She obtained a BA degree in Business Administration with a minor in History. After college, she went to work at Bank of America, where she worked in various positions for fifteen years. She was a happy, optimistic person, and had a contagious smile. She was always putting others' needs before her own. Many family members came to our home as their first stop in this country and she was always such a gracious host, making all the new arrivals feel very comfortable and welcome. She also enjoyed cooking for our frequent, large family gatherings. She did it so effortlessly and everything always turned out so perfect. She worked hard in the home and outside of the home, and she rarely complained. She loved giving all that she had to give to her family. After all that she had given to us, it was a true privilege to take care of her in her time of need. She was a unique person and a grand lady. She was truly loved by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed. Friends may visit Wednesday from 6-7pm and are invited to attend the Vigil Service at 7pm at St. Thomas More Church, 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd. San Francisco. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:30am also at St. Thomas More Church. Burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Colma.