World traveler, volunteer, woman of faith

Helen Carlson of Pomona died on Sunday, July 27, 2014. She was 99.

She was born on May 29, 1915, the oldest of four children born to Costi and Mary Mandrean. She was raised and graduated from high school in Warren, Ohio, where she also attended business college.

Mrs. Carlson moved to California, where she married Lonnie Westlake. After he died, she met and married Arnold Carlson, with whom she shared many traveling experiences, including trips to Israel, Africa and Europe, including the Scandinavian countries, as well as many excursions around the United States.

Mrs. Carlson worked as a waitress at the U & I restaurant in Pomona and at Walter’s Coffee Shop in Claremont. She was a very active member of the Oak Park Community Church of God, Claremont. Her church involvement gave her much joy as she was surrounded by many compassionate, caring friends.

Mrs. Carlson gave generously of her time and resources to her favorite charities, especially missionary-based projects. She helped collect, box and distribute over 135,000 books to children of third world countries. Various thrift stores also benefited from her weekly help. Eating at Mrs. Carlson’s house was always a treat, as she was a marvelous cook and baker. Many friends and relatives were fortunate enough to have their wedding cake made by her.

“Helen will be sorely missed by those of us left,” family shared, “but we rejoice as we know she is in the arms of Jesus, where she has yearned to be for such a long time.”

Mrs. Carlson is survived by a sister, Mary McDonald, and by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Carlson, her brother, Costi Mandrean Jr., and her sister, Libby Rose.

Services will be held on Tuesday, August 12 at 10 a.m. at Todd Memorial Chapel, 570 N. Garey Ave. in Pomona. Interment will be at the Pomona Cemetery and Mausoleum.

It was Mrs. Carlson’s request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made either to Simpson University (2211 College View Drive, Redding, CA 96003) to the Christian and Missionary Alliance (PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935).