Helen Wai Chin

Born Wai Yin Quan in Guangzhou, China on September 16, 1948, to Chew Quan and Linda Lai Quan. Helen was the oldest of 6 children. At the age of 8 she was brought to San Francisco by her beloved Auntie Pui Fun Quan. She graduated from Galileo High School in 1966, and received a BA and an MS in Economics from San Francisco State University. Helen spent the bulk of her career working for Economic Sciences Corp. in Berkeley as a consultant for commercial real estate ventures in San Francisco and Louisiana. Helen volunteered regularly at the San Francisco Opera and Academy of Sciences. At the Academy, since 2017 she entered data on mosses collected from all over the world before they were placed in the archive. The group celebrated completing data entry of 200,000 mosses collected in the last 100 years just 3 days after she died.

Helen is survived by her son, Michael Chin, and her granddaughters Coco Madison Chin and Sloane Isabel Chin; her sisters Jennifer Quan, Beverly Lee, and Elaine Quan; her brothers John Quan and Steven Quan; and her many loving extended family members. Her death was preceded by that of her former husband, Kenneth Chin and her parents.

Helen will be cremated, and interred at the San Francisco Columbarium. Tentatively this is planned for Thursday, July 31st, 2025. After the interment we will gather at 12 noon at Daly Buffet, 1901 Junipero Serra Blvd A, Daly City, CA 94014, to honor her memory together. Please check back here a few days before to confirm the date hasn’t changed. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Helen’s memory to the California Academy of Sciences. https://give.calacademy.org/give/709509/#!/donation/checkout

In addition to being a solid pillar of her family, Helen was a shining light to those she interacted with. She emanated positivity and caring. She was friendly and generous, traits that extended to family, neighbors, and strangers alike. She baked for her neighbors, especially the children, and cooked for family gatherings.

Helen loved animals, and spent time happily caring for her grand-dogs. She walked 4 miles every day, usually near her home, connecting with neighbors as she went. She was always happy to pet and walk her neighbors’ dogs, and to share pictures of beloved pets. Helen spent time with her friends and family regularly, and cared for her granddaughters when given the opportunity. She did all this with compassion and joy.

Helen will be sorely missed by her family, neighbors, friends, and associates. We will miss her shining presence, and forever hold her light in our hearts. The world will not be the same without her.