Helen Gautreaux Hallaron died on June 10, 2025 in Selma, Texas. She was born in Crowley, Louisiana, on April 5, 1928, to Wilson J. and Azemie Breaux Gautreaux, and raised in the small town of Mermentau. She graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (S.L.I.) in Lafayette, Louisiana in May 1949 with a degree in Education. She also pursued postgraduate work at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.
Helen began teaching in Welsh, Louisiana, in 1949. In November 1951, she applied for a commission in the U.S. Navy and in April 1952, was commissioned with the rank of ensign. She went to Newport, Rhode Island for 16 weeks indoctrination before getting her first station assignment in Washington, D.C. serving in the Office of Naval Intelligence (O.N.I.) at the Pentagon until November 1955. She was transferred to New Orleans and worked in the Office of Naval Personnel, which covered five states. During these years, Helen financially supported her widowed mother and five younger brothers and sisters back home. In New Orleans, she met her future husband Lt. JG John D. “Jack” Hallaron and they were married on April 14, 1956. They were married for 55 years. Helen and Jack were always proud of their service in the Navy.
Jack and Helen raised four children, Dennis, Teddy, Janet and Mike. The family moved to Houston in 1968 and later settled in Conroe, Texas where all four children graduated from Conroe High School. The family lived in River Plantation among many lifelong friends and neighbors. Helen and her family were active for decades at Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was a member of Catholic Daughters and she stayed active in booster clubs, musical plays, and the kids’ extracurricular activities.
After Jack’s passing in 2011, Helen lived with her children including her daughter’s family in Garden Ridge, Texas near San Antonio for the last four years. She always wanted to stay close to her family and watch over her beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of which there are many. Helen loved each of them and always remembered them in her prayers.
Helen’s whole life was based on her love of God and her family. Her family was her most valuable treasure. She was happiest surrounded by them at home or on beach vacations in Port Aransas, Texas. May she find all the prettiest shells on Heaven’s shores.
She is survived by four children, fourteen grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. Children, include John D. “Dennis” Hallaron, Jr., and wife, Nancy; Ferrick J. “Teddy” Hallaron, II, and wife, Brenda; Janet Hallaron Schmerber, and husband, Steve; and Michael Sean “Mike” Hallaron and wife, Melissa. Her grandchildren, include Christopher Hallaron, Lauren Hallaron, Timothy Hallaron, Ferrick J. Hallaron, IV, Katherine “Katie” Hallaron Schmitt and husband Tristan, Amy Hallaron, Stephanie Schmerber Neunuebel and husband, Ryan, Michael Schmerber, M.D., Jennifer Schmerber-Davila and husband Jesse, Matthew Schmerber and wife Kyle, David Schmerber and wife Catalina, Alexander Schmerber, Sarah Jane Hallaron, and Sean Hallaron. Great grandchildren are Emily, Hunter, Hailey, Bethany, Luke, Ryan, Haegan, Jack, Jude, Finnick, Caeli, Theo, Penny, Elliott, Liam, Tyson, Micah, Rocky, Josephine, Juliette, and Seraphina, plus one more on the way.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents, brothers, Rufus, Wilbur, and Wilson Gautreaux, and sisters, Lou Irra Guidry and Mae Rose Migues.
Visitation will be held at Metcalf Funeral Home in Conroe, Texas from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, June 19, 2025. A Rosary will be said beginning at 6:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe, Texas, followed by refreshments served by the Catholic Daughters. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, The Woodlands, Texas at 1:00 pm.
Pallbearers include Helen’s grandsons: Chris Hallaron, Michael Schmerber, M.D., Ferrick Hallaron, Timothy Hallaron, Matthew Schmerber, Sean Hallaron, David Schmerber, and Alex Schmerber.
Gifts during Mass include her granddaughters: Stephanie Schmerber Neunuebel, Lauren Hallaron, Jenny Schmerber-Davila, Katie Hallaron Schmitt, Sarah Jane Hallaron, and Amy Hallaron.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s name to: Pregnancy Assistance Center North, 26164 I-45 Spring TX, 77386 (https://pacn.kindful.com/?campaign=1107465) or
Sacred Heart Catholic Church 704 Old Montgomery Road, Conroe, Texas 77301 (https://shconroe.org/giving).
