Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Helene D. Minari, who passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 97. She was born on August 18, 1927, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In 1954, Helene married Bruno A. Minari in Montreal before she moved to Brooklyn, New York, then Florida in 1955. Together they shared many happy years.

Helene lived a full life filled with love, music, adventure, and a deep devotion to her family.

Helene worked as a Registered Nurse at Hopital Notre-Dame in Montreal, where she dedicated herself to caring for others. After moving to Bellingham, Washington, she became a docent at the Bellingham Museum where she enjoyed sharing her love for history and the community with visitors.

Helene always had a deep love of music, especially classical music and opera—both attending concerts and listening at home. After moving to Bellingham is 1986, she joined the Bellingham Music Club and later became the club’s President. She grew up in a home where music was deeply engrained and her instrument of choice was the piano, which she loved to play. When she wasn’t doing something music related, Helene enjoyed reading, traveling, Sunday dinners with her family and crossword puzzles. Her family lovingly called her a “crossword puzzle fanatic”.

Above all, Helene loved her family. She is survived by her two daughters, Pat Leeder and Jackie Minari; Son-in-laws David Alexander Leeder and Curtis Burows; stepchildren Craige and Lynne Minari; and grandchildren, Tiffany Leeder Acosta, Jeff Alan Leeder, Curtis Adam Leeder, and Juliana Lynn Daley as well as her five other grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bruno Minari.

Helene’s legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew her. She will be remembered for her passion for music, her curiosity, and her sense of adventure.

A memorial service to celebrate Helene’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Bellingham Music Club.