Helen Madeleine Snyder Duchess

Helen Duchess, 91, of Ocean Springs, died peacefully on Monday, November 19, 2012, at the Ocean Springs Nursing Center where she had been a resident for the last 6 years and was well known for her active participation in the recreational programs. Helen always enjoyed and was sometimes critical of life. In her early years she particularly enjoyed playing baseball, driving eighteen wheeler cattle trucks and managing a café. Later in life she was a really good cook at the Lord is My Help food kitchen in Ocean Springs, a vivacious greeter at the local Walmart and could be met during the Christmas holidays as a Salvation Army bell ringer and one of the best at that. Born in Omaha, Nebraska on June 19, 1921, Mrs. Duchess was preceded in death by her husband, MSGT George William Duchess, USAF (ret) of Sharon, Pennsylvania; her parents, George Louis Snyder and Edessie Marie Josephine White Snyder both of Concordia, Kansas; her three siblings, James Dale Snyder, Russell Loyal Snyder, and Ruth Snyder Kozel; and her four children, Paul J., Paula Gay, Timothy Paul and Sharon Lee. Helen came to the Mississippi coast on May 10, 1959 with her husband, “Dutch” who was transferred here to Keesler AFB. Both of them were very active members of the VFW. Helen was a 50+ year member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was always concerned with the welfare of military veterans. She served in several leadership positions including two years as president of the Mark Seymour Post 5699 Auxiliary of Ocean Springs and president of the Bradford C. Lyman Post 2434 Auxiliary of Biloxi. Helen was also the Bi-Centennial Auxiliary District President and president of the Military Order of the Cooties Ladies Auxiliary of Here Again Pup Tent Nine of Biloxi. She was an active member of Christus Victor Lutheran Church where she particularly loved doing support projects for the youth group such as making most of the original costumes for the church’s live nativity. Visitation and a light luncheon will be held Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at 11:00AM at Christus Victor Lutheran Church followed by a 12:00 noon church service and interment at Crestlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers Madeleine Duchess wished that donations be made to Christus Victor Lutheran Church, 2755 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 and Ladies Auxiliary VFW 2434, c/o Janice White, Treas., 9700 Wire Rd, Vancleave, MS 39565. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs Chapel is in charge of arrangements.