Hayat Helen Rubardt

Birthdate: October 13, 1935 URS: April 4, 2026

Praise be to Thee, for my ordinary, extraordinary life!

Helen Hayat Varney Olivier Rubardt, lover of nature – from backpacking in the Sierras to wave watching at Stinson Beach and SF Ocean Beach – cloud watcher, spiritual seeker, died on April 4, 2026 from lung cancer at age 90.

Helen drafted her own obituary years before her passing. It reads:

I was born in San Francisco, October 13, 1935, to Muriel Byles Varney and Frank Hastings Varney. I had two younger sisters: Nancy Adamson and Marilyn Siden. I was raised in Berkeley, and attended John Muir, Willard, Berkeley High, and UC Berkeley, where I majored in music, philosophy, and speech.

I married Barry Olivier in 1955. We were married 25 years and together we had five children: Howard (Megan), Frank (Brenna), Ken (Cheryl), Michael (Katherine), and Nancy.

In 1985 I married my beloved Ken Rubardt. We were married until he died July 11, 2015. His children are Marcie (Charlie), Steve (Betsy), and Peter (Hedi).

All 16 of Ken’s and my grandchildren were born after we were married, and they are our family together. They are:

Olivier side: Nicki, Kerry, Sheri, Emily, Amanda, Kyla, Kelly, Aiden, and Jessie.

Rubardt side: Sabrina, Chris, Molly, Martha, Grace, Daniel, and Vivienne.

After spending most of my life in Berkeley, Ken and I had an eight-year “vacation” in San Francisco – a return to our roots and the city I loved as a child. My grandmother, Emily Rhine Varney, lived in a Julia Morgan home at 10 Russian Hill Place, which is now the condos at 999 Green Street. 

During our time living in SF, I started a Beach Walk at Ocean Beach (from Judah to the rocks below the Cliff House) every Thursday, rain or shine. I loved the weekly reminder that God is in charge, and all the beauty and constant change at our urban beach.

In 2014, Ken and I moved into Piedmont Gardens, a wonderful senior residence in Oakland.

I love my family, and it is with great sorrow that I leave you all – including many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, many friends who are also my family, and Marc Rieffel.

I’ve had a lifetime love of, and interest in, singing – classical, folk, pop, North Indian Classical Raga – and many choirs, including most recently the Threshold Choir. I very happily taught singing for 30 years in Berkeley.

I’ve had a lifetime interest in breath and mysticism, and became a Sufi in the Sufi Ruhaniat International in 1981, practicing Universal Sufism and leading Dances of Universal Peace.

I say goodbye to my dearest family and friends and to a life I’ve loved. We are always joined in heart. I have been very fortunate!

May all beings be well

May all beings be happy

Peace, peace, peace.

If you want to do something in remembrance of me, smell a rose, watch the sun rise, go to the beach, or share a kind word and smile.

Praise be to Thee for

my ordinary, extra-

ordinary life!

We were fortunate to enjoy many more years with Helen after her completion of this obituary, and they were years incredibly well spent. During this time, she built a wonderful community at Piedmont Gardens and welcomed 12 great-grandchildren. Her last decade was intertwined with her partner, Marc Rieffel, and his beautiful family, including daughters Eleanor, Sara and Mary Elizabeth. Helen and Marc enriched each other’s lives with daily walks to the Rose Garden, international travel, and connective time visiting their ever-blossoming family.

There will be a celebration of life for Helen at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, where she had been a member since 1985, on Friday, June 5th, 2026, at 10 a.m.