Helen Park

In Memoriam
Helen Park
Jan 11, 1921- May 01, 2008

Mother to DeAnn Cabrera and Kenneth Park and loving wife to Woodrow Park, Helen passed away on May 1, 2008 at the age of 87. She now joins her beloved Woodrow in the wondrous hereafter.

Helen came to the USA from Korea at the age of 9 months and raised her family in Glendale, California. At the time of their emigration, her family was one of the earlier Korean immigrant families in the USA.

Helen was endowed with great natural beauty and talent and was one of sixteen young women chosen to represent Korea in a parade marking completion of the Golden Gate Bridge. She was an excellent pianist in her youth but opted for a traditional family life rather than pursuing a career in music.

All those who knew her were familiar with her sharp wit and sly sense of humor as well as her full-throated laughter. She reveled working as a grocery checker since she loved being around people and she spent most of her life doing so until becoming physically unable. In this sense she was in the vanguard of women who raised families but were also part of the workforce. Helen worked first at the family owned grocery store, Woody’s Market, in Glendale and then for Safeway in Beverly Hills and South Pasadena. She frequently set the pace for others as the highest volume checker in the store.

Helen is survived by her son Ken and daughter DeAnn, four grandchildren – Mark Rich, Michael Rich, Keith Park and Kym Park; one great-grandchild Leila Rich; four brothers George, Bobbie, Tony and Raymond; and two sisters Carol and Thelma.

We will forever miss her great laughter and strong spirit.