Lasting Memories

Phyllis Havens Van De Mark
Jan. 19, 1927-Sept. 29, 2014
Corte Madera, California
Submitted by Diane Heininger

Phyllis Van De Mark passed away on Sept. 29. Though she resided in Corte Madera since 2012, her real home of 51 years was Menlo Park.

While living here she worked for SRI, received her master's in chemistry from San Jose State, taught chemistry at West Valley, Ohlone, & San Jose State, volunteered with the Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped Program, helped start and maintain the Menlo Park Farmers Market, and served multiple terms as President of the Menlo Park Live Oak Lions Club.

Her happiest times began when she turned 50 and married her neighbor, Raymond Van De Mark. They traveled extensively in the U.S. & abroad but loved returning to their home and friends in Menlo Park.

Phyllis grew up in Chicago, got her biology degree from Ripon College, worked for the University of Chicago, then headed to California for research work at UCLA. In the late 50s, she became a year-round employee of the Grand Teton Lodge Company, spending summers at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park and winters in San Francisco.

Always adventurous and independent (she climbed the Grand Teton more than once and made her last solo drive to Wyoming at 78), she decided Menlo Park was where she wanted to live and bought her home there as a "single woman" in 1961.

Phyllis is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Heininger, her niece, Diane Heininger, Diane?s husband, Chris White, and cousins.

Donations in Phyllis's memory may be made to the Westwind Riding Institute (for the Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped Program) and the Menlo Park Live Oak Lions Club.

The addresses are:

Westwind Riding Institute, 27210 Altamont Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.

Menlo Park Live Oak Lions Club, P.O. Box U, Menlo Park, CA 94026