Herbert Burr BAILEY, DR

                   OBITUARY:
SUNDERSON, HELEN JANE Helen Jane Sunderson, 95, of Olathe, KS, died September 9, 2010. Mrs. Sunderson was a longtime resident of La Mesa/Spring Valley, CA. Helen Jane was born in Ceylon, MN to Dr. Herbert and Sena Bailey. She graduated from the University of Minnesota  in 1935 with a degree in music, a gift she enjoyed and shared all her life. In 1937, she married John Sunderson in Fairmont, MN. They relocated several times while John served in WWII  and in 1950 she and John purchased a lemon and avocado ranch in Spring Valley where they raised their family. Helen Jane taught in the La Mesa/Spring Valley School District. One of her students, who later became an astronaut, said in an interview that she was inspired in math and science by Mrs. Sunderson. A longtime member of La Mesa First United Methodist Church, Helen Jane spent many hours in volunteer and service work. After retirement from teaching, she volunteered at nursing homes, sewed lap robes for the residents, and shared her gift of music. In 2004, she moved to Olathe to be near her son, Mark and his family. In her last decade, Helen Jane also lived with her daughter Jaini in San Diego and Elgin, SC, and with her granddaughter Lauren also in Elgin. A devoted wife and mother, Helen Jane is survived by her daughter, Jaini Kinsman of Elgin, SC; son John (Krista) of Fresno, CA; son Mark (Donna) of Olathe, KS.; and a special niece, Jean Copple of Tempe, AZ. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Helen Jane was preceded in death by her husband, John, and brother, Dr. Robert Bailey. The family would like to expresses thanks to the caring staff at Aberdeen Village. A memorial service will be held at La Mesa First United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 13th, at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to UMCOR, The United Methodist Committee on Relief. Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on September 26, 2010