Helen Benoit, 79, of Nederland, died Thursday, August 23, 2012, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Beaumont. Born September 28, 1932, in San Antonio, she was the daughter of Carlota Riojas Gonzalez and Joe Gonzalez, Sr. Mrs. Benoit graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and received a business degree from Durham Business College in San Antonio.
For many years she was the high school attendance clerk at Nederland Independent School District. When her children were growing up, she was the pack leader for the Campfire Girls and a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was actively involved with the St. Charles Catholic Church Altar Society, taught CCD, served on the Parish Council, Bereavement Committee, , and brought communion to the homebound.
After her children were grown, she became involved with the Babe Ruth League and this involvement lasted for twenty-six years. She was the first female Nederland league president and the only female state commissioner. In 2004, she was inducted to the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Benoit is survived by her husband, Alex Benoit of Nederland; children, Mike Benoit and his wife, Marcee, of Katy; Marvin Benoit and his wife, Molly, of Vidor; Melinda Benoit of Nederland and Martin Benoit of League City; grandchildren, Morgan Benoit and Sydney Benoit both of Katy; Amanda Journeay and her husband, Blake, of Fort Sam Houston; and Derek Griffiths of Vidor; brother, Joe Gonzalez, Jr. of Hemphill; and sister, Gracie Gonzales of Nederland.
A gathering of Mrs. Benoit’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evening, August 27, 2012, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland followed by burial at Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Nederland Babe Ruth, P O Box 1051, Nederland, Texas 77627 or St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627.
