Helen Hoag was realtor, philanthropist

DOWNEY -- Helen Elizabeth Wiley Hoag, a prominent realtor and philanthropist in Downey, died June 11 of heart failure, her family announced. 

She was interned at Rose Hills Mortuary with her husband, Larry Hoag. At her request, no services will be held. 

Born April 14, 1920, Helen and her husband owned and operated The Hoag Company Inc., which they founded in 1951. Helen was a member of the Downey Board of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors. 

She served as a trustee of the Downey Community Hospital's Memorial Trust Foundation, and was an active member of the hospital's auxiliary, serving as president in 1970-71. She volunteered in many capacities with the Assistance League of Downey, and was its president in 1986-87. 

As a supporter of several art and music programs, Helen underwrote the Downey Symphony's annual concert at Furman Park, and was a major donor of the symphony's Music in the Schools program since its inception in 1995.

"As a patron of music, Helen Hoag exemplified the spirit of philanthropy, the desire to give back to the community to enrich the quality of life," said Lorine Parks, a board member with the Downey Symphonic Society. "Through the Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation, Helen touched lives in other areas as well, but what we knew best was how she made it possible for us to share our outstanding orchestra with so many."