Helen Larrus

Helen Larrus passed away on July 28th, 2012. Helen (Aunt Sis) was born in San Jose, on April 19, 1916. She was the second youngest of five children by Manuel (Pat) and Marie Louise (Klinkert) Carrera. Her brothers William Carrera, Robert Carrera and Raymond (Bud) Carrera, and sister Jane Levitt passed on before Helen.

Helen grew up in downtown San Jose, then the sleepy center of a vast agricultural area. She attended Saint Joseph's Elementary School, and Notre Dame High School, graduating in the heart of the depression. In 1934 she went to work as a switchboard operator in the downtown San Jose telephone company office. For several decades after the War she was the office manager/bookkeeper at Cooks Automotive where, according to her coworkers, she pretty much ran things.

In the late 1930's, Helen met Emile (Skip) Larrus, from a farming family in Los Altos. They both loved baseball and a good glass of beer, marrying in 1945 while Skip served in the navy. They never had children, but showered love on their nephews and nieces.

Helen and Skip had a marvelous life together and enjoyed a wide circle of friends, their home in Palo Alto becoming the center of activity during Stanford football season.

Skip passed away in 1984. Helen moved the Villages in Evergreen Valley, then onto The Atrium where she spent many years in the company of good friends.

Helen is survived by 5 nephews, Mike, Bill, and Paul Carrera; Jim and John Levitt; along with numerous grand and great grand nephews and nieces. For the family, she was the last of her generation, and will be sorely missed.

Private services will be held for immediate family members only. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made Notre Dame High School.