Individual Details

Death

Obituary: D. Helen Daigle, 87, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Jan. 26, 2007. She was born in Cedar Grove, La., to a Methodist minister. She was one of six children. She attended Bethany College in Oklahoma and McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La., graduating with an associate's degree in music. She married Elvin Daigle in 1941. After moving to Palo Alto in 1956, she started work as a secretary in Hewlett-Packard's early years and moved up the ranks in personnel. She taught classes on the "HP Way" and retired in 1982. Throughout her life she published short fiction stories for children's magazines and non-fiction articles on art and collectibles. She led scout troupes and taught piano and nutrition classes. She actively participated in church. As a certified graphoanalyst, she also operated a printing business in Palo Alto during the early 1970s. She is survived by her husband, Elvin Daigle of Palo Alto; her daughter, Charlotte Berney of Santa Fe, N.M.; her son, Ronald Daigle of Redmond, Wash.; her daughter, Jeanie Forte of Palo Alto; her sister, Minnie Ruth Sayes of Lake Charles, La.; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many extended family members. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 463 College Ave., Palo Alto CA 94306. Memorial donations may be made to Wesley Methodist Church or the Channing House Garden, 850 Webster St., Palo Alto CA 94301. Dorothy Helen was the daughter of Claudius Mayo and Lucinda Buelah (Dollie) Hoffpauir. Dollie was the youngest child of Frank and Malissa (Hoffpauir) Hoffpauir. (Palo Alto Weekly February 14, 2007)