Helen Yunker: Business Woman-Entertainer-Philanthropist
"Supporter of all things good for Ventura and its people"
Helen Mathilda Yunker passed away peacefully, at Community Memorial Hospital, on Saturday, July 28th , following a brief illness.
Helen was born September 3, 1921 to Mathilda Pfeiffer Yunker and John Yunker in Chicago, one of five children. She moved to Long Beach, California in 1948, and relocated to Ventura in 1958. Helen Yunker received acclaim throughout her life and career for her achievements as a businesswoman, entertainer and philanthropist.
Her work ethic was legendary, beginning with a paper route through Chicago blizzards on her bicycle at the tender young of ten, transcribing a complete book into Braille while still in high school, and breaking the glass ceiling for women at Remington Rand selling typewriters to name a few examples. She continued this work ethic
after death, by singing at her own funeral. She said that she hoped for "Standing room only."
She supported many good causes, and her impact on education, the arts, and health are far reaching:
As a 20-year member of the Ventura College Foundation Board, Helen:
- Provided scholarships for needy students.
- Raised the majority of the funds for the construction and furnishing of the new science building and auditorium named The Helen Yunker Performance Hall.
- Sponsored the music department and its programs, endowing it, upon her passing, with a multi-million dollar endowment.
- Inducted into the Mary Guthrie Hall of Achievement at Ventura Community College.
The Rubicon Theater's performance hall bears her name in recognition of her major donations and ongoing support of the theater since its inception.
Helen also served on the Board of Directors of the Ventura County Ballet and appeared regularly, well into her 90's, as "the maid" in its annual production "The Nutcracker Suite."
In the area of health, Helen kicked off the initial fund drive to construct St. John's Regional Medical Center.
Funded needed heart surgery for infants at St. Vincent's Hospital in Los Angeles.
Helen was honored as a Philanthropist of the Year by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives.
After losing her ocean front property through the threat of eminent domain, Helen became a strong advocate for individual property rights, and protective rights for senior citizens. She was awarded the Inspiration Award by the Board of Realtors for her advocacy.
Helen established Helen Yunker Realty at the beach in 1979, and now enjoys the designation from the Board of Realtors of "Honorary Member for Life."
Love of music played a major role in her life. Helen began singing in her church choir in Chicago at age 13, subsequently studied voice at De Paul University in Chicago, and completed her 56th year as member, cantor and soloist in Our Lady of the Assumption church, totaling up to 80 years of choir work. Helen sang at so many funerals
that she recorded along the way and was able, as a result, to sing at her own funeral. She said that she hopes it will be standing room only.
For well over 20 years, Helen was part of "The Belles of San Buenaventura" an all-female singing group of 8, which entertained shut-ins at hospitals, churches, non-profits and jails.
She graced many a stage, crossing her beautiful legs and sharing her wit and talent, - in particular her signature song, "Little Yeller Dog", has delighted countless audiences over the years.
In 1966 Helen co-produced "The First 100 Years in Ventura", the Centennial magazine celebrating the City's founding in 1866. This commemorative publication is entombed in a time capsule at the entrance to City Hall, and she considered one of her major accomplishments. Helen noted that she might be absent from the scheduled opening in 2066, but her spirit will prevail and she will be smiling down for the occasion.
Her plethora of awards also included:
- The Mayor's Arts Award for years of service and support of the arts.
- Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of the California Central Coast.
- Philanthropist of the Year for service to the Red Cross dating back to the 1960's, when she worked to support troops in Viet Nam with care packages and family tapes from home.
- The Council for Resource Development as a major benefactor to community colleges honored her in Washington, DC. She was chosen out of 1600 candidates.
Ventura County Community Foundation, named its "Helen M. Yunker Collection for Nonprofit Research and Development" library acknowledging her service and support.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors awarded Helen two Certificates of Recognition:
In 1969, in her role as President of the Pierpont Bay Association, for leading the successful formation of the improvement district. She also succeeded in having the area grandfathered prior to its annexation to the City, to allow existing safe improvements to remain. Her leadership brought sewers, underground utilities and overall
reconstruction of the formerly blighted beach area. Helen's efforts transformed Pierpont from a badly neglected area to the proud and inviting beach it is today. According to Helen, this was her greatest gift to Ventura and its citizens.
In 2015, Helen was recognized for her role as leader of the Pierpont Improvement District with a dedicated bench at Marina Park inscribed with her name as the "Guardian Angel of Pierpont Bay."
The second certificate from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, on her 80th birthday, was in recognition of her life of service to her fellow man and community.
Her support of donor programs include Boys' and Girls' Club of Ventura, St. Vincent's Hospital Children's Heart Program in Los Angeles; YMCA of Ventura and Santa Barbara County, Mary-Health-of-the -Sick Convalescent Hospital in Newbury Park and our local live-theater programs.
The list is long and her heart big. Throughout her busy life she maintained a spontaneous sense of humor and had her camera ever ready to preserve happy memories for her friends and associates.
In retirement, Helen remained very active as a community supporter of the arts and advocate for individual property rights and seniors. She appeared 100's of times to the Ventura City Council, opening
each speech with the statement, "I am Helen Yunker and I support everything good for Ventura."
Preceded in death over the years, Helen lost her parents, brothers John, Jerome and Jimmy, and sister Mary Ann. She is survived by her niece, Lynda (Ivan) Hudson, great niece Amy (Sean) Feeney and great, great niece and nephews, twins Ainsley, Hudson and brother Declan. Also, Helen has family in Switzerland, where her father was
born. As a first generation American, Helen enjoyed dual citizenship. She also has numerous nephews and nieces spread throughout the U.S.
Her philosophy was simple: "By helping and sharing with others, you multiply your own happiness and blessings many times over."
Helen has been a blessing to our community and she often thanked the good Lord for inspiring and showing her the way to help others.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours from 2:00pm to 6:00pm on Thursday, August 9, 2018 in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main Street, Ventura, where A Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, August 10, 2018 in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 3175 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Interment will immediately follow in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura.