Helen Marion Lilak

Helen Marion Lilak (Nee Gollan), 91, passed away on Friday October 10, 2014 at Somerby, Mount Pleasant, SC. Helen was born in Singapore on June 6, 1923. She was the daughter of the late John Marshall Lamb Gollan and Ada Mary Gollan, both of London, England. In her earlier life, Helen attended nursing school and served in a hospital in England. With the start of WWII, Helen joined the British Navy as a WREN. It is while she was in service she met Steven Lilak (who predeceased her) who served in the American Army. They met at a Christmas dance held at the American base in southern England. Helen moved to the United States in 1946, where she and Steve married and started their life together. Helen was a lifelong Presbyterian, and was most recently a member of the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston. She was a woman of many talents, but most know for her horticultural expertise, especially in raising Orchids. Survivors include her son, John (Barbara), of Powell OH; daughter, Susan (William) Goodwin-Taylor, of Mount Pleasant; sister, Lorna Mary Young, of London England; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, October 17, 2014 at Somerby of Mt Pleasant, with Reverend Margaret Beamguard officiating. Remembrances, in lieu of flowers, in Helen’s name, may be made to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, the Humane Society, given Helen’s long love of animals, or a charity of your choice. Interment will be at the Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, 17310 Pomerado Road, San Diego, CA, 92128. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE RD., MT PLEASANT, SC (843) 884-3833.