Helen Whang Batlin Reid

1925 - 2018

Born February 13, 1925 passed on peacefully on August 17, 2018 with her husband Don at her side. She was beautiful, elegant, smart, stylish and set the standard for excellence in everything in which she was involved. She was truly a remarkable and strong woman with an indomitable spirit always open to new ideas. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Marine, entrepreneur, visionary, philanthropist and friend.
Helen was an extraordinarily accomplished Beauty Salon Magnate in San Francisco. She graduated from high school in Oregon, arriving in San Francisco in 1947. She attended classes at the University of California at Berkeley. At a time when it was almost impossible for an Asian woman to start a business on her own she stepped up and succeeded. She launched herself into business when Asian women were not entrepreneurs. Being Asian and a woman in the business world was indeed challenging which she met and overcame. Helen's hard work and determination is what made her so successful. She set a standard for women that if you work hard you can be successful. She created from first as a hairdresser she then built and expanded her beauty, cosmetology and fashion business to include the founding of Helen at St. Moritz Beauty Salons, the Union Square School of Beauty and the face lifting business "Beautilift". She was a dynamite success. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Korea she went to Korea several times in the 1960's and established and oversaw the first Korean School of Beauty. All were substantial successes. She was inspirational and mentor to everyone she touched. Her Salon clientele include many notables Senator Dianne Feinstein; and sports star celebrities Dr. Sammy Lee, Joe DiMaggio and movie stars and entertainers Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Neil Diamond, Gene Hackman, Shelly Winters and Marilyn Monroe. This list can go on and on. She was well known in Hollywood and very, very well known in San Francisco.
Helen joined the Marines when she married her husband Don and became committed to the spirit of Corps. She never let an opportunity to participate pass. She was a "Perpetual Member" of the Marines' Memorial Club and was always overwhelmingly supportive of Marine endeavors and became a member of the Board of Directors of the Theater at the Marines' Memorial Club. She was the first woman to be invited to join that board other than active duty military personnel. She was a true patriot and loved every minute of it. For seven years she was a driving force and integral part of the building of the beautiful Korean War Memorial at the Presidio which was opened in 2016 and where she is now honorably remembered.
Under then Mayor Dianne Feinstein she was appointed and served as the first Chair of the Seoul-San Francisco Sister City Committee for the next 18 years from 1976 to 1994 followed by Mayors Frank Jordan and Art Agnos. She was an ardent supporter of the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and the founder, leader and initial donor of the Korean Art Wing at the de Young Museum.
Helen, with her husband Don were philanthropists and led in giving for scholarships at St. John's University in New York where she was awarded the President's Medal in 1994. She also, with her husband Don were members of Ambassador Society and Diamond Circle at the University of San Francisco, where they were leaders for scholarships in the Graduate Program of Asian Studies from the beginning of 1990.
Over the last 60 years Helen was an active and dedicated supporter of the San Francisco Protocol and Host Committee, the Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Downtown Association and Union Square Business Association.
She loved being a 'Mermaid' among whom were her dearest friends. She was perfect and we will miss her dedication, enthusiasm and generosity.
A life well lived. With all her success her greatest treasure was her family. She is survived by her husband of 30 years Don; her siblings Anne, Ruby, Mae, Lewis, Betty, Lucy; her four children, Joya Perry, Steve Batlin (Allison), Lynn Keener (Bob), and Greg Batlin (Leslie); seven grandchildren Natalie (Anthony), Alex (Erica), Phil (Taylor), Nicole (Cameron), Robert (Emily), John; three great grandchildren Cameron, Mason Reid and Sumner. She was predeceased by her brothers Lynn and Joe and her sisters Rose and Bessie. The grandchildren all say she was a force to be reckoned with.
A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held at the Marines' Memorial Club, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco on September 19, 2018 at 4pm. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial contribution to the Marines' Memorial Association's Building Fund "In Memory of Helen Reid".
Look up at the sky at night, Helen is now up there in the Golden Gate sky. She is the brightest star and this lovely lady is now looking out for all of us. Semper Fi.