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BORN
1943
DIED
2024
Helen Charpentier Obituary
Helen E. Charpentier
03/10/1943 - 11/11/2024
In Loving Memory of Helen E. Charpentier.
On November 11, 2024, Helen E. Charpentier passed away peacefully, at her home on Mt. Hamilton, in San Jose, CA.
Helen was born March 10, 1943, in Boston, MA to James J. Heggie Jr and Helen Elizabeth Griffin Heggie. She graduated from Canton High School in 1961, and then attended Garland Junior College in Boston.
She then moved to Chicago where, in 1968, she met Felix Charpentier, who was working for Fairchild at the time. They were married in North Stoughton, MA, on September 20, 1969. Helen and Felix moved to Santa Clara, CA, and were successful entrepreneurs in the semiconductor industry. Helen and Felix socialized with other families and their young children, and those families became her West Coast family.
In 1983, Helen and her family moved to Mt. Hamilton in San Jose. There, she pursued her passion for animals, caring for horses, donkeys, stray dogs, cats, goats, roosters, geese, and pigs. It was typical to see many of these pets roaming the property.
Helen enjoyed international and domestic travel. She shared many happy memories with family and friends while traveling to Boston, Lake Tahoe, and Maui. She was a generous and passionate community supporter, a longtime member of the Santa Clara Winchester Women's Club, and a contributor to numerous nonprofits in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. She supported the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Marine Mammal Center, and Sacred Heart Community Services in San Jose.
Helen was always supportive and ready to lend a helping hand and give advice. She loved to entertain with family and friends, and her home on Mount Hamilton was always bustling with gatherings for holidays, family meals, and other celebrations. She took pride in decorating her house for any festive occasion. She had an outgoing personality, was always up for an adventure, and enjoyed the arts, antiques, and whale watching. She was especially proud of her three granddaughters and made a point to attend every soccer game, school performance, and birthday celebration. She was an active member of the San Jose Country Club, where she spent many hours enjoying the pool and dining room and competitively playing bingo and bocce.
She is survived by Felix Charpentier, her husband of 55 years; daughter, Heidi Congistre; son, Sean Charpentier; daughter-in-law, Jessica Charpentier; granddaughters, Haley Congistre, Brianna Charpentier, and Shannon Charpentier; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Helen has five brothers and one sister: Gerald A. Heggie of Westford; MA, Lt. James J. Heggie III, retired, of Quincy, MA; Holly K. Heggie of Hull, MA; CW4 Daniel T. Heggie, retired, of Pagosa Springs, CO; Brian J. Heggie of Sarasota, FL; and Sean Heggie of Holbrook, MA.
Helen was a kind and generous person whose presence brightened the lives of everyone she met. She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Helen's name to Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose. A Celebration of Life is being planned for January 2025. For more information, please email [email protected]
03/10/1943 - 11/11/2024
In Loving Memory of Helen E. Charpentier.
On November 11, 2024, Helen E. Charpentier passed away peacefully, at her home on Mt. Hamilton, in San Jose, CA.
Helen was born March 10, 1943, in Boston, MA to James J. Heggie Jr and Helen Elizabeth Griffin Heggie. She graduated from Canton High School in 1961, and then attended Garland Junior College in Boston.
She then moved to Chicago where, in 1968, she met Felix Charpentier, who was working for Fairchild at the time. They were married in North Stoughton, MA, on September 20, 1969. Helen and Felix moved to Santa Clara, CA, and were successful entrepreneurs in the semiconductor industry. Helen and Felix socialized with other families and their young children, and those families became her West Coast family.
In 1983, Helen and her family moved to Mt. Hamilton in San Jose. There, she pursued her passion for animals, caring for horses, donkeys, stray dogs, cats, goats, roosters, geese, and pigs. It was typical to see many of these pets roaming the property.
Helen enjoyed international and domestic travel. She shared many happy memories with family and friends while traveling to Boston, Lake Tahoe, and Maui. She was a generous and passionate community supporter, a longtime member of the Santa Clara Winchester Women's Club, and a contributor to numerous nonprofits in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. She supported the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Marine Mammal Center, and Sacred Heart Community Services in San Jose.
Helen was always supportive and ready to lend a helping hand and give advice. She loved to entertain with family and friends, and her home on Mount Hamilton was always bustling with gatherings for holidays, family meals, and other celebrations. She took pride in decorating her house for any festive occasion. She had an outgoing personality, was always up for an adventure, and enjoyed the arts, antiques, and whale watching. She was especially proud of her three granddaughters and made a point to attend every soccer game, school performance, and birthday celebration. She was an active member of the San Jose Country Club, where she spent many hours enjoying the pool and dining room and competitively playing bingo and bocce.
She is survived by Felix Charpentier, her husband of 55 years; daughter, Heidi Congistre; son, Sean Charpentier; daughter-in-law, Jessica Charpentier; granddaughters, Haley Congistre, Brianna Charpentier, and Shannon Charpentier; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Helen has five brothers and one sister: Gerald A. Heggie of Westford; MA, Lt. James J. Heggie III, retired, of Quincy, MA; Holly K. Heggie of Hull, MA; CW4 Daniel T. Heggie, retired, of Pagosa Springs, CO; Brian J. Heggie of Sarasota, FL; and Sean Heggie of Holbrook, MA.
Helen was a kind and generous person whose presence brightened the lives of everyone she met. She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Helen's name to Sacred Heart Community Service in San Jose. A Celebration of Life is being planned for January 2025. For more information, please email [email protected]
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, 2024.
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