Danielle L'Helgoual'ch

Died, July 20, 2010. Danielle was born on April 25, 1970, in Dallas and attended the Hockaday School for nine years, before graduating from Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts with a focus on theater. She earned her baccalaureate degree in Sociology at Southern Methodist University.

Danielle’s passion for the arts was demonstrated by the expertise she developed on great American musicals and opera, with her volunteer work at Dallas Repertory Theatre and an internship at the Dallas Children’s Theater. During this time she also became a collector of first editions, many of them signed by contemporary authors. Danielle had a keen interest in astronomy and had mastered many advanced computer programs. These were her passions that lasted throughout her life, even as she developed a career as a financial analyst for three corporations in North Texas.

Danielle’s greatest love, however, was reserved for her family. She is survived by her mother, Sharon Martin; her beloved step-father, Luis Martin; her step-brother and his wife, Rafael and Reena Martin; her niece and nephew, Serena and Xavier Martin, who were the light of her life; her Aunt, Marie Anne Sherlag, of Chicago; and an extended family of cousins in our country and in France. Her father, Yves L’Helgoual’ch, Director of Music at St. Mark’s School for 36 years, preceded her in death.

Danielle’s compassion for others was evident in her first career choice: working for Child Protective Services in both the Dallas and Austin offices. Her heart led her to care for animals as well, both as a volunteer for Animal Allies, and for the abandoned dogs she fostered. For the last three years, Danielle worked as a professional dog trainer and she made countless canine friendships, earning the gratitude of their owners. She truly had an amazing facility for communicating with her charges and seeing that they were gently persuaded to follow her guidance. Her pets, Jasper and Otis, will miss her greatly, and will join a community of family and friends in grieving the loss of her kindness and companionship.

A service will be held on Saturday, July 24th, at twelve noon at Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W Northwest Hwy Dallas, TX 75225; Father Rex Hayes officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the “Danielle Fund” at PLAN of North Texas, 13151 Emily Road, Suite 240, Dallas, Texas 75240-8989.

“We all know that something is eternal. And, it ain’t houses and it ain’t names, and it ain’t earth, and it ain’t even the stars . . . it has something to do with human beings. All the greatest people ‘ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years, and yet you’d be surprised how people are always losing hold of it. There’s something way down deep that’s eternal about every human being.” -Stage manager, in the play OUR TOWN, Thornton Wilder