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Helen Lara-Cea Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Helen Lara-Cea
Matthew T Greedy
July 24, 2023
I enjoyed working with Helen. She was a very kind person.
Lillian Castillo-Speed
July 25, 2022
I often think of Helen as I work in the Ethnic Studies Library. She loved books and she also loved libraries. She donated wonderful books to our library.
Matthew Greedy
July 28, 2020
I only knew Helen for a small amount of time. She was kind, intelligent, and dedicated to the students she served. I am sorry to hear about her passing and wish the best for her family.
Arturo Nunez
November 3, 2011
I am greatly saddened by Helen's passing.
I had the great opportunity to meet Helen during my first semester at UC Berkeley (1990) as a new transfer student from East Los Angeles College. I had also just come off the loading docks of UPS (Downey Hub) and thus college life was, shall we say, a world apart!
I will never forget not only listening to the Great Ronald Takaki (Ethnic Studies 130) during that first semester, but also profiting from Helen's discussion sessions as well. Helen many times took me aside during that first semester and gently explained what was then to me confusing aspects of middle class culture - and that small gesture made all the difference in the world to me. Such kindness she showed me, and she was always more than willing to make Casa Joaquin Murrieta's computer room available to me when I needed access (usually in the wee hours of the morning - the essays never ceased!).
Helen, may God hold you close to His heart today, for that is where you truly belong, my sister. My prayers go out to your bereaved family.
Much love,
Arturo Nunez, Ph.D.
October 28, 2011
I was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Helen's untimely passing.
Helen and I met when we were assigned as freshman roommates at Scripps College. We quickly and easily became friends, even before we arrived at Scripps when we negotiated over the phone about who would bring the television, and the music, and other things for our dorm room. We learned about the things that we shared in common. We both played the violin, loved history, watched 60 minutes, and treasured our Northern California roots.
I arrived in Claremont not knowing anyone but Helen, while she came with friends who were attending three of the other Claremont Colleges. In her generous way, she brought me into her circle of friends.
After Claremont I moved to the east coast, and although we didn't keep closely in touch, Helen was there for many of the big events in my life, including my doctoral graduation in 2007 when I finally met her daughter Zoila in person.
I will always cherish Helen's warmth, love, humor and intellect, and I feel blessed to have known her.
All my love to Mrs. Avila, Nancy, Carlos, Zoila, and her extraordinary circle of family and friends.
Dr. Sidalia (Sid) Garrett Reel
Rolando Ernesto Sanchez y Familia
October 15, 2011
Desde ese día, Helen reside en Nuevo lugar.
Incomparable dolor para la Familia,
tremenda perdida para el mundo entero;
consuela el saber que fue una ganancia para el cielo con una Ángela dulcemente llamada Helen,
quien ahora esta llenando de alegría todo la Eternidad ,
y quien desde su nueva cede: cuida a los que tanto amor le dieron y tuvieron la dicha de disfrutar de sus grandes cualidades.
Estaremos acompañándoles en nuestras Oraciones.
Piper McNulty
October 5, 2011
Helen was my suite-mate for 2 college years, and the closest I ever came to having a sister. My freshman year was REALLY rough, but I had the incredible good fortune to meet Helen, early sophomore year, through a suite mate, Lynne Oshita. Helen took me into her heart and I found myself part of a wonderful group of her high school and college friends, some of the best, brightest, hardest working, nicest folks one could ever hope to meet. They welcomed me just as Helen had. I'm really not sure I would have made it through college without her, and them.
She had a wonderful sense of humor, and her sheer brain power was awesome!
Helen lived with my parents while taking a semester at the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies (now MIIS), and she later gave me priceless insight into my childhood, through the incredibly funny, right-on-the-mark, stories she told of her own experiences as their surrogate daughter.
Helen faced incredible challenges: A metabolism that caused her to gain weight in the mere presence of food, helping her mom raise her younger brother and sister after her dad passed away when she was just 10, beating the odds, and then some, getting into Scripps from a a high school from which perhaps 5% of graduates went on to college, mentoring first generation college students (and reassuring their parents) in a special off campus dorm at Berkeley, TA'ing for easily the most famous, and truly marvelous, ethnic studies prof in the US, Ron Takaki, DETERMINED, and she made it happen!, to provide the very best education for her beloved Lita.
What a truly amazing, one of a kind, you-should-be-so-lucky-to-ever-have -this-person-in-your life friend she has been! Helen, I will MISS you! May you continue to inspire everyone you have touched to give of themselves just a little more, each day.
With much love to Lita, Mrs. Avila, and all Helen's many friends, students, colleagues, professors and family,
Maria Fletcher
August 31, 2011
Helen,
You were our close friend at UCDavis. We had wonderful times with you as students, and you were an important part of our lives as Tom and I became parents and built our family together.
Your kindness and generosity to others was a powerful gift. We have often drawn upon your warmth and kindness to others as an example of how to become a better person.
We only wish that we could have shared more memories with you in recent years. Your absence in our lives was deeply felt. To realize now that absence is permanent is deeply painful.
At this time, our thoughts go out to all of the others you have touched and your family, especially to your mother and daughter. You will be forever cherished in our memories.
Love,
Tom and Maria Fletcher (and family)
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Helen the Chef
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Helen receiving Master's Degree
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Helen Hiking
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Helen and Nancy
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Helen and her two Zoilas
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Helen 3 yrs old with her Christmas Book
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Helen 9 yrs old at Moscardinis
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
August 29, 2011
Trudi Wondolowski (Coerver)
August 27, 2011
Helen you have been in my thoughts over the years and I was very upset by your leaving this world way to soon. Your laughter and humor was part of my pre teen and teen years. My thoughts and prayers are with you Zoila, Carlos, Nancy, Linda and your daughter and the rest of your family. Helen I know All your family loved you.
Viany Orozco
August 26, 2011
Querida Helen te voy a extranar. Hubiera querido poder verte mas seguido. Siempre fuiste muy buena conmigo en Casa Joaquin Murrieta. Mi pesame a Zoilita y que descanses en paz.
JUAN ACEVEDO
August 16, 2011
Aqui en El Salvador, estamos muy tristes por la partida de Helen, y por el profundo dolor que compartimos con su tan querida familia, especialmente con tía Zoilita, pero estamos seguros que Helen esta gozando de la luz perpetua y del inmenso amor de Dios, y oramos porque Dios los llene de mucha paz en sus corazones.
Con afecto y respeto
JUAN ACEVEDO Y VIOLETA DE ACEVEDO
Cristina and Lola Sanchez
August 15, 2011
Dear Aunt Helen,
We are sorry to have lost you, you were a kind, thoughtful and caring person.
Are deepest sympathies go out to Lita, mama Zoila and the rest of the Family.
God Bless
Sarah Moscardini
August 15, 2011
I love you Auntie.
Kathy Ward
August 14, 2011
In loving memory of Helen Lara-Cea (July 27, 2011).
Requiem For A Sister
What do you say to someone
whose heart is broken;
Whose loss is so great it
cannot be measured.
Why is it words seem so mean-
ingless, so utterly useless
You cannot replace a sister, a
lingering childhood memory,
Grown to adult love and such
endearing affection.
How can it be life is frought
with such unexpected pain.
There is surely a season to
all worldly things;
But why so short, terminated
in full bloom.
Explain this paradox, so I
can fell again.
The sadness is there is no
sane explanation,
For nothing in life is secure
or promised forever.
We have to be grateful for
every small measure.
Love, however, remains timeless
and forever enduring;
It does not end with the de-
mise of an individual.
It grows inside, filling you from
life to death.
Your sister will always be
with you,
In your thoughts and deeds, in
your heart and mind.
She will walk beside you all
the days of your life.
She will come to you when
least expected,
In all the small and great occa-
sions you experience.
You will remember, and that
is her preservation.
Some day the pain will not
pierce you,
Some day the memories will be
sweetly enhancing.
You will be suffused with joy
to recall your time.
Until then, know our thoughts
are with you,
Our love surrounds you in
silent compassion.
You are dearly loved; as
dearly as your sister.
By Kathy Ward
Luis Armando Sanchez Alegria
August 11, 2011
Estimada Helen te saludo desde Toronto, Canada. Espero que te encuentres con los nuestros y pidiendo que ores por nosotros a Dios por todos nosotros y esperando que te encuentres en gloria celestial gozando de las bien aventuranzas. Son los deseos de tu primo hermano. Chito y familia
Laurel Patton
August 10, 2011
William Shakespeare - Sonnet #18
Shall I compare thee to a Summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And Summer's lease hath all too short a date:
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And oft' is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd:
But thy eternal Summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
-----
Rest in Peace Helen. Glad you were here for the best parts of the summer,
You didn’t really miss much in that final Harry Potter movie you planned to see. The book was definitely better.
You will always be remembered by your fierce dedication to your students. Your family, colleagues, students, and those you have mentored will always miss you.
ROSA MARIA CORDOVA
August 9, 2011
PARA TODOS EN EL SALVADOR, HA SIDO UN DOLOR COMPARTIDO CON USTEDES, QUEREMOS EXPRESARLES NUESTRAS ORACIONES Y LA COMPAÑIA DE DE JESUS DE LAS MISERICORDIAS....CON ABSOLUTA FE EN DIOS, CON COMPLETA CONFIANZA QUE HELEN ESTA EN LA CASA DEL SEÑOR...FAMILIA CORDOVA - HENRIQUEZ
Pui-Quan Cheng
August 8, 2011
Helen,
You were a lovely person to work with and a kind hearted, gentle soul to be near. You will be in the hearts of the faculty you left behind, and in the hearts of the children you cared for and taught. My deepest condolences to your family. May you rest in peace.
Rosario Arreola Pro
August 6, 2011
Mi Querida Helen,
I am truly heartbroken to hear about your untimely death, but I know that you are next to God among his many angels. Thank you for being our mentor and friend at Casa Joaquin. Those years at Casa will always be remembered as some of my fondest years at Cal. My sincerest condolences to Zoilita and to the rest of your family. You will always have a special place in my heart.
Matthew Greedy
August 4, 2011
I just arrived back in town and saw this announcement.
I am a colleague of Helen at Hoover and would like to extend my condolences to Helen’s family. Helen was kind, caring, and a very intelligent person. She spoke often, and with great pride about her daughter, again my condolences to her family.
Janet Pellegrini
August 3, 2011
I knew Helen briefly at Hoover. It was a "hi" in the hall or a small chat on the elevator, but in those moments I recognized a devoted person who eagerly took on the challenge of meeting the needs of her special ed charges. It was her wisdom and understanding that made a difference to
her students. She will be missed by them, but remembered for her compassion and good will.
Maria Lucero Padilla
August 1, 2011
Helen, Helen, Helen...You were SPECIAL and I will continue to carry you in my heart and daily prayers. I promise to watch over Zoila and maintain contact with your family especially Grandma Zoila, Nancy and Bob, Carlos and Nicole and your nephew Alex. I can't begin to replace you but I will try and be a "honey" friend to Diego (and see Lorraine and Mark frequently) and Benny (and lovely Rima and Jack). I know you will find peace and the joy you so richly deserved.
Rosa Martinez (Coronado)
August 1, 2011
Helen,
Estoy aqui recordando cada minuto y cada consej0 que nos dio durante nuestra estancia en CASA. Usted siempre estuvo ahi para escuchar nuestras preoupaciones y ayudar en cualquier manera a nuestras familias. Ahora esta en la mansion junto a nuestro Senor.
Rosa Maria Martinez (Coronado)
Shelley Sorenson
August 1, 2011
Helen will be missed. She was a kind and compassionate teacher, as well as insightful and intelligent. She accepted my son just as he was, without judgement, while still helping him to learn and work with his learning differences. We really appreciated her support for 3 years at Hoover Middle School. Our sincere condolences to her daughter Zoila, who also worked with our son at Camp Vision this summer. Sending love, Shelley Sorenson and family
Paul Yonemura
July 31, 2011
Helen Lara-Cea gave everything she had to her students, helping those with learning challenges. I had many great conversations with her and will miss her greatly. Ride with the angels, Helen. You are surely going to a better place. Peace be with you.
Liliana Guerrero
July 31, 2011
Dear Helen,
I think even in heaven you'll be encouraging other souls to improve themselves and reach their dreams, just like you did to me. Thank you for everything y que Dios te bendiga, Helen!
Patricia Liliana Guerrero, UC Berkeley, Class of 1996
David y Yanira Sanchez
July 31, 2011
Nuestro mas sentido pesame a la familia Lara-Cea, nuestras oraciones para ustedes para que Dios les de fortaleza y consuelo. Estamos seguros Helen que tu hiciste mucho bien y tu temprana partida deja un vacio para todos aquellos que te amaron y estimaron. Que descanses en la Paz de Dios en el cielo, seras recordada siempre.
Zuleyka Jinks
July 31, 2011
Dear Helen,
Thank you for guiding us and allowing us to blossom into adults while under your care at Casa Joaquin. I will never forget you. May you rest in peace.
Lily Castillo-Speed
July 31, 2011
Dear Helen,
I’ll always remember you as the bright, warm, caring presence that you brought into the Chicano Studies Library. I also remember your brilliant mind, always making connections that most people would not see right away. I miss you even though I haven’t seen you in years. I feel your presence through your daughter, who never fails to give me a big hug when she comes into the library. I’ll watch out for her as she finishes her studies at Berkeley—and as long as she needs me after that. Love, Lily
Sofia Sanchez
July 31, 2011
Setimos mucho la perdida de tan preciada hija, hermana y amiga. Nuestras sinceras condolencias a tia Zoila y toda la familia. Dios nuestro Senor les llene de consuelo y Fe que Helen ya esta en sus brazos. Sofia Sanchez y Lidia Gutierrez (Vallejo, CA)
Ken Sweeney
July 31, 2011
Helen,
I remember you as a bright, personable student at Jefferson High School many years ago. Six years ago, our paths crossed again at San Francisco State. I remember our conversations but I noticed wisdom, compassion and love.
Your life continues through those acts of kindness and everyone who had the good fortune to know you. You will be missed.
Judith Lucero
July 31, 2011
Helen was the kindest, most caring person I have ever known. She gave all of herself to everyone, but never asked for anything in return. The world is a much sadder place without her. Everyone who knew her will miss her immensly.
Letter to "Our Honey"
Diego Gambala
July 31, 2011
Zoila Avila
July 31, 2011
Mi querida Helen, en mi mente es un sueno que tu no estas ha mi lado. Helen, siento un dolor tan profundo no poder verte mas. Le doy gracias a Dios que me permitio estar contigo casi tres semanas, el tiempo mas feliz de mi vida de haverte tenido a mi lado. Helen estas en el Paraiso Celestial, al lado de tu padre Carlos quien te quizo tanto. Tu madre que te quiere mucho. Zoila
Nancy Lara-Moscardini
July 30, 2011
My dear Helen, I am sitting here at home with Mom and "little" Bobby, in complete disbelief that you are not here with us. We already miss you so much. We keep wanting to call you, to help us with all the details of your memorial and to help us decide which pictures to use for the collage. But you are probably sitting next to Daddy, in the midst of your first book for your heavenly collection. I love you forever. your little Nancy. P.S. LIta has become our substitute advisor.
Grace Coronado
July 30, 2011
Helen, dear cousin, you will always have a special place in my heart. You left us too soon, only the good Lord knows why. You leave your legacy in your daughter, whom you raised to be an exceptional young woman, and in all the acts of kindness and people you helped during your life time. Your gentleness, kindness, and brilliance will be what I always remember about you, oh yes, and that little volkswagon you used to drive around. We all will miss you. God bless you!! Grace C.
Tia Rosita and Helen
Rosemary Mejia
July 30, 2011
My dear cousin Helen. You would have been my adopted mom if your Tia Rosita would have given you your way :-) I have many wonderful memories of you that I will cherish. The last time I saw you you were still calling me little Rosemary. I did have to remind you that I was a lot taller then you. I know that you are resting with Jesus and you are in a better place. One day you will be calling me little Rosemary again but this time we will both be standing on sidewalks of gold with trumpets playing. Til we meet again.
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