Helen Duffy, 85

Helen Ruth Duffy, 85, of Sandpoint, Idaho, died Thursday, April 14, 2005 at Life Care Center of Sandpoint from complications of Parkinson's disease.

At Helen's request on service will be held.

She was born Dec. 30, 1919, in North Dakota to Gustave and Lois B. Woolery Doliver Krupp.

She married Douglas James Duffy in Minneapolis, Minn., in 1946. During the 1950s she and Douglas were missionaries in Assam, India. In the 1960s, the family moved to Puerto Rico. Helen returned to the U.S. in the 1970s to live in Holland, Mich.

She retired from Montgomery Ward in 1985 and moved to Sandpoint. Her last years were spent in the care of the wonderful people at Life Care Center of Sandpoint. She was an avid classical music fan, an advocate of daily exercise, loved reading, cooking and was a wonderful teacher, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her children, Douglas Paul Duffy with three daughters, Allison, Heather and Stephanie of Marshfield, Wis., Kim Duffy with daughter Matisse and son Elias of Sandpoint, Crellan Duffy with daughter Sasha of Novato, Calif., Lanu Duffy of Washington, D.C.; and Erin Duffy of Gig Harbor, Wash.; and a sister, Lois Gay Dennison. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Merlin; sisters, Lavaun, June and Bernie; and husband Douglas James Duffy.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.