Helen Mae Coleman, longtime resident of Malibu, died at her home on March 13. She had experienced poor health over the past several years.
Coleman was born on Nov. 12, 1921 in Stoutsville, Ohio to Austin and Adaline Crites.
A skilled entrepreneur, Coleman purchased the popular Malibu Cottage in the early 1960s and, in 1975, moved on to operate the Mainsail Bar and Restaurant in Santa Monica.
Coleman is survived by her brother, Will “Jim” Crites, and Jim’s wife, Carol, nephew James and his wife, Hyun, and their children, Alex and Julia, cousins Howard Hummer and his wife, Lillian, and Susan Harrington and numerous friends and distant cousins.
Coleman was preceded in death by her parents, her aunt, Eleanor Harrington, her nephew John Crites and her cousin, Bill Harrington.
Graveside services for family and close friends will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier. Per Coleman’s wishes, there will be a celebration of her life in four to six weeks at her home. The date for the event has yet to be determined, but notification will follow.