Helen Marie Mineau

Helen Hall Mineau, residing in Pleasanton, CA, passed away peacefully on August 29th at the age of 94 after a short illness. She was born on January 18, 1932, in Berkeley, CA to Nellie Mae Green and William Howard Boren and was raised with loving care as an only child during the Great Depression and grew to value friendship above all else.

Helen grew up in Atherton, CA, a rural suburb of San Francisco at the time. She attended Lone Mountain College in San Francisco and met Sherman Hall, a student at the University of San Francisco. They married just days after college graduation and lived as newlyweds in downtown San Francisco. They had five children and ultimately settled their family in Fremont. She taught third grade for over fifteen years at Saint Leonard’s Elementary in Fremont, then reinvented her career entering restaurant and hotel management, and became a successful travel agent in Fremont.

After her husband Sherman died, with a broken heart, she embarked on a solo cross country road trip and explored the entire east coast by herself. Her love for travel paired with an insatiable curiosity about the world propelled her to explore all fifty states, dozens of countries, and almost every continent. She was an avid cruise ship patron but also enjoyed family vacations in destinations including Carmel, Palm Springs, Mexico, and Hawaii.

Her second marriage to Leon Mineau consisted of eleven happy years of attending USF basketball games, traveling, and doting upon their six grandchildren. Helen provided loving care for Lee until his final breath at the age of 91.

Helen was an active member of the Tri-City Women’s Club, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and volunteered at Washington Hospital. She had a wide network of friends and was always willing to help others in their time of need. She provided emotional support to many friends and neighbors as they encountered illness and end-of-life care. Her strong Catholic faith supported her through life’s challenges, and her optimistic inner strength drove her to achieve much and serve others compassionately.

Helen loved to host soirées and festive gatherings for just about any occasion. She was hospitable and witty and could carry a conversation with people from any walk of life. A true Bay Area native, she loved watching the Giants and she read the SF Chronicle cover to cover daily. Beyond being a fantastic mother and leader, she was a loyal friend to many and will be greatly missed. Helen is survived by her daughter, Diane Hall of Springfield, OR, sons Sherman Hall of Mariposa, CA and Spencer Hall of Vista, CA, daughters Leslie Hassett of Castro Valley, CA, Christine Hall of Sparks, NV, and her many grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

A rosary will take place at Berge Pappas Smith Chapel of the Angels at 40842 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, CA at 6:30 PM on Thursday, September 24th, 2026, and a Catholic funeral mass will be said in her honor at Saint Joseph’s Church in Fremont, CA at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 25th, 2026.

Her family would like to thank the staff and management of Stoneridge Creek and Creekview Health Center in Pleasanton for providing a truly stimulating and caring living environment during her later years.

Charitable contributions in her honor can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Sister John Marie’s Pantry or to a charity of your choice.