Helen S. Duffy

Helen S. Duffy, formerly of West Harwich and lately of Hingham, died on January 10, 2015 with her family in attendance. 

She achieved her 105th birthday last June.  Helen was born in Worcester in 1909 to John and Margaret Sloan as the oldest of four children including bothers Todd, James and Paul.  Following her preparatory education in Worcester schools, she entered Boston University where she was a founding member of the Tri-Delta sorority and graduated with a degree in English literature in 1931.  Thereafter she worked primarily as a teacher at the junior high school and junior college level until her marriage.  

Helen married Dr. Frank K. Duffy in 1942 and they were together for the next 62 years, except for his 2 and one half years overseas in the Army Medical Corp in WW II.  She and her husband lived for many years in the town of Palmer where he practiced medicine.  Helen was active in many civic organizations including the Wing Memorial Hospital auxiliary and the Palmer Public Library.  Following her husband’s retirement, they moved permanently to West Harwich and enjoyed retirement on Cape Cod and hosted friends, family and guests at their West Harwich home.  Helen and Frank travelled to many interesting places and made several trans- Atlantic crossing on famous ocean liners over the years. Her husband predeceased her in 2004. For the past few years she resided in Allerton House in Hingham where she made many new friends, took French lessons and was a member of the residents’ council.   

Helen is survived by her son Frank Duffy and his wife, Geraldine, of Falmouth and by her daughter Sloan Duffy and her husband, Stanley Mansfield, of Chatham.  She is also survived by granddaughter Elizabeth Duffy Hynes and husband Tod Hynes of Cambridge; grandson Evan Stone and wife Jessie of Norwell; and granddaughter Megan Vickery and husband Jonathan, formerly of Hingham and presently of Denver, CO, with great-grandchildren Caroline, Jack and Kate.  

There will be visitation by family and friends at Pyne Keohane Funeral Home, 21 Emerald Street, Hingham on Thursday from 5 to 8 PM with a funeral Mass Friday at 11 AM at St. Paul’s Church in Hingham center.  Burial will be in Palmer on a later date. 

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Norwell VNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061 in appreciation of their excellent service to Helen and her family.