Hendrina "Henny" Damen

Hendrina "Henny" Damen 84, passed peacefully on May 19, 2008. Henny was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands on March 11, 1924 and immigrated to the United States in 1954. San Francisco became her eventual home and was the city she always loved. Here in the City by the Bay, she shared 49 years of marriage with her husband, soul mate, and best friend Hendrik "Henk" who preceded her in death in 1994. Over the past few years, even as her health declined, Henny continued to pursue her volunteer efforts at the Legion of Honor Museum. Here she found cultural richness, intellectual stimulation, and human camaraderie. When she replaced her 20th century stick shift Volvo with a new imported compact, she could be seen frequenting the Nordstroms at Stonestown. Of all things, Henny cherished family the most. She was (and will still be) the reigning matriarch at all family occasions. Under her watchful eye, many intimate gatherings were enjoyed by both family and friends, with a cornucopia of culinary delights, richly spiced with joy and laughter. Henny will be remembered in her many roles: providing guidance in the kitchen, exploring life events with the grandkids, and resting by the fireplace. Henny's memory will be preserved by her two daughters and their husbands: Madeleine and Robert Bruley; and Patty Damen-Gilpin and Brian Gilpin. That memory will be enhanced by her three grandsons: David Bruley, his wife Manami; Travis Bruley, and Cory Gilpin; as well as her granddaughter Leilani Gilpin; and her canine devotee, Mango. Those who knew Henny, knew she was a very private person and as in life, her desire is to keep her celebration of life also private. In lieu of flowers, Henny and the family would appreciate donations in her name to either MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), the American Heart Association, or the NACC (The National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease).