Helen Pearlstein
April 14, 1932-Feb. 3, 2020
Alamo, California

Helen Pearlstein (nee Gardner), a resident of Alamo, died peacefully on February 3, 2020 after a bout with an aggressive knee sarcoma. She was 87 years old. She lived in Danville, and then in Alamo for a combined 44 years. During that time her focus was taking care of her combined family and working as a volunteer at the Danville Library. At the Library she served in virtually every capacity, including several terms as President. She and a friend originated the Friends of the Danville Library Endowment in 1998 that reached 1 million dollars in early January 2020.

Recently Mrs. Pearlstein served as Secretary for the Northern California branch of the American Research Center Egypt.

Mrs. Pearlstein was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and grew up in Philadelphia. She graduated from Ursinus College in 1954 with a degree in history. She married John Isely in 1957 and they moved to San Diego with their two children, Ann and Brian. She covered local news for a twice-weekly newspaper, and later worked for Hydro Products, San Diego Magazine, and as editor of the award winning San Diego Constructor, a trade magazine.

Following her marriage to Don Pearlstein in 1976, and a move to northern California she worked for a time at the Dublin Public Library.

Mrs. Pearlstein’s interests, even as a child, were ancient history, archaeology of the Middle East, reading and writing. She and her husband, Don have been fortunate to be able to travel to 7 continents. Classical music has always been a source of joy.

Mrs. Pearlstein is survived by her husband, Don and four children – Eric Pearlstein, Neil Pearlstein, Ann Isely, Brian Isely, and six grandchildren.