Helen Elizabeth Close Hall , January 24, 1929 — January 04, 2019

Helen’s Obituary Helen Elizabeth Close Hall left this world peacefully the morning of January 4, 2019, just 20 days short of her 90th birthday. She was born January 24, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Helen Sayre Close and Benjamin Franklin Close. She recalled fondly her early years in Cincinnati, living in homes kept by her Texan mother, and supported by her father, a successful coffee broker.

Helen contracted polio at 18 months of age. Later, at the age of five, she began taking ballet lessons to strengthen her legs. This began her life-long love of ballet.

Also as a child, she took horseback riding lessons. Later, the family moved to a farm on the outskirts of the city where Helen was given a five-gaited gelding named Billie. She had a tender spot in her heart for animals, especially cats.

In September of 1947 Helen got on a train bound for Austin where she began studies at the University of Texas. Her mother was originally from Temple and her maternal great-grandfather, George Pendleton, had been the State’s lieutenant governor. She took up residence in Grace Hall, the Episcopal dormitory on campus, and pledged the Pi Beta Phi sorority.

She met her future husband, Sandy (Edmon Grant Hall), in Spanish class. The two were married on June 4, 1949 in Terrace Park, Ohio. Returning to Austin, Helen worked as a secretary/receptionist at Merrill-Lynch while Sandy finished law school.

The couple moved to Edinburg, Texas in 1951 where Sandy took up his law practice. Helen gave birth to and raised four children: Grant (Patsy) Hall, Kimberley (Bernard) Seger, Geoffrey (Amy) Hall, and Stephanie (Brent) Bottom. She was a stay-at-home mother, but active in the community as a Brownie/Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, and member of the League of Women Voters.

She was one of the founders of the Rio Grande Ballet Foundation and Rio Grande Ballet, serving in management for both organizations. Once her children were raised, Helen went back to college and earned a Master’s degree in Business. She then went on to work for Charles Thompson for seven years and finished out her career as administrative assistant to Sandy in his private law practice.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and two siblings. She is survived by her brother, Bob Close, by her children, 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She will be remembered as one who showered her family with love, support, compassion, and great kindness.

A private interment will follow. Memorial donations, while not requested, may be made to an animal shelter of choice.

If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.