Services Scheduled for Helen Johnson
Funeral services have been finalized for longtime journalist and former UC Irvine public relations specialist Helen Johnson, friends said Thursday.
Johnson died last week of cancer at age 71. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, 600 N. Main St., Santa Ana.
The Orange County Register employed Johnson from 1948--when she arrived from her native Pennsylvania--until 1953. Upon leaving the Register, she joined the first corps of reporters at the Los Angeles Times’ Orange County operation.
She directed UCI’s public information office from 1969 until 1983, when she retired.
In 1982, Johnson won the Orange County Press Club’s Sky Dunlap Award for career excellence and contributions to the community. That same year, she received UCI’s Distinguished Staff member award, the highest accolade given to university employees.
Johnson’s family members have set up the Helen Johnson Memorial Fund at First Presbyterian Church. Donations to the fund--which will benefit the church--are welcome, said Hilary Kaye, who worked with Johnson at UCI.
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