Logo
Through four generations we have been committed to creating meaningful services for the families of the Lancaster area.
Call 24 hours: (717) 394-4097
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Staff
    • Our Locations
      • Orange Street
        • Our Newly Renovated Orange St. Location
      • Marietta Avenue
    • Virtual Tour
    • Why Choose Us?
    • In the News
      • Final steps: A Look Inside a Funeral Home (2004)
      • Gen-Yers Prepare to Lead Their Family Owned Businesses (2010)
      • To Dust We Return (but implants live on) 2011
      • Website Press Release 2011
  • Pre-Planning
    • Benefits of Pre-Planning
    • Download Pre-Arrangement Form
    • Pre-Arrangement Form (Online)
  • Services
    • Burial
      • Burial Package Options
    • Cremation
      • Cremation Package Options
    • Meaningful and Personal Services
    • Aftercare/ Grief Support
  • Products
    • Urns
    • Caskets
    • Memorial Folders/Prayer Cards
    • Memorial Tribute Videos
    • Veteran Related Products
  • Useful Info
    • Questions & Answers
    • Local Resource Guide
      • Local Hotel Accommodations
      • Local Restaurants
    • Ordering Additional Death Certificates
    • Social Security Benefits
    • Tips On Giving A Funeral Eulogy
    • Transporting Cremated Remains
    • Veterans Benefits
    • Forms
      • Cremation Authorization Form, Electronic Sign
      • Cremation Authorization Form, Printable
      • Pre-Arrangement Form
      • Pre-Arrangement Form (Online)
    • Funeral & Cremation Resource Kit
  • Covid 19
  • Contact
    • Get Directions
You are here: Home / Obituaries / Helen Smith Duncan

Helen Smith Duncan

Duncan Photo web

October 7, 2020 witnessed the passing of the loving, compassionate and giving Helen Smith Duncan.  She passed in her childhood home in Lancaster after a long struggle with dementia.  She was cared for the whole time by her six loving children.

Helen was born August 14, 1931 to the late Harold E. Smith and Malinda Shaub Smith.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Harold S. Duncan.

Helen raised 6 loving children — Dennis, who passed in September of this year, Christine (David), Robert (Sharon), Andrew, Louise, and Luther (Wendy).  She was a grandmother to 15, a great grandmother to 16 and a great great grandmother to 1. They all cherished her.  She always had a smile, a giving heart and time for many games of Farkle, Yahtzee, Up-Jenkins, spoons and more.

Helen graduated from JP McCaskey High in 1949.  She then started her family and gave her children the time and attention they needed to grow.  She always wanted to be a nurse, and realized her dream in 1980 when she graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing with her Registered Nurse Degree!

She used her degree as a career nurse for Hospice of Lancaster which allowed her compassion and love for all to be used working with and consoling families as their loved ones passed.  She retired in 2000.

Helen supported the Lancaster community as a volunteer for many causes.  She assisted Hospice of Lancaster in their annual Labor Day Auction for 20 years.  She sat on the School District of Lancaster board for two terms and the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Lancaster board for over ten years.  She assisted people in filing taxes as a vita volunteer, and she helped her daughter Louise as a bell choir member at several churches.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, Helen will be missed by her three remaining sisters, Kitty Dunn, Barbara Rightmire and Molly Sperandio.  Helen was predeceased by her sister Ann Probst.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family. If desired, memorial contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to Hospice & Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA, 17604.

Offer Condolence for the family of Helen Smith Duncan

Print Obituary & Condolences Print Obituary & Condolences

Condolence Messages

  1. EllenTrimble

    October 15, 2020 at 6:28 am

    My prayers are with the family Helen is with the Lord memories will be with you all she could be put a smile on your face. She would win every time we played card and tell me how to drive she will be miss. Love to the family God Bless

    Reply
  2. Maj Gen (retd). Sardha Abeyratne (Sri Lanka)

    October 16, 2020 at 6:52 am

    So Sorry and Sadden to hear the demise of our loveable friend ” MOM ” Helen Duncan. She along with her husband Harlod Duncan , generously accommodated me at their residence at Lancaster PA, during my vacation while I was following a Military course at the US Army Ordnance Centre & School at APG, Aberdeen, Maryland in 1990/91. Since I left USA, she corresponded with me upto 2010 and stopped may be due to her bad health. She was a truly Loveable, Joyful , Wonderful & Graceful Lady who proudly talked about her Candies & Lollypops she made for the Thanksgiving and X’mas . May God give her Eternal Rest and daughter Louise the strength to bear the great pain. Please accept My & My family ‘s Heartfelt Condolences from SriLanka.

    Reply
  3. Robert Carey

    October 16, 2020 at 9:10 am

    Prayers and condolences to the family. I have fond memories of Helen and knew her for many years. She was a wonderful, caring person with a strong personality and quick wit. She will be missed.

    Reply
  4. Mary Lynn DiPaolo

    October 18, 2020 at 1:09 pm

    To the Duncan family,

    Please accept my sincere condolences on your mothers passing. She was the epitome of the perfect homemaker. She made the best ever clear toy candies. Helen excelled at everything she did. I sure miss the good old days on College Ave. Condolences on Denny’s passing.

    Love and Peace,
    Mary Lynn Hobday DiPaolo

    Reply
  5. Joanne Berkowitz

    October 20, 2020 at 7:02 pm

    I was lucky to work with Helen for many years at Hospice and witness the compassion she gave to so many patients. She was smart, kind and a favorite by so many patients. I will always remember her kindness , to me and all who knew Helen. Her memory is a blessing.

    Reply
  6. Elaine Bornstein

    October 21, 2020 at 6:03 am

    I remember Helen playing with Bethany Bells @ Bethany Presbyterian Church & directed by Louise. These memories bring smiles. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your beloved mother. Elaine Bornstein

    Reply
  7. Carol A Olson

    October 21, 2020 at 10:40 am

    Helen was great to work with on the Board of Governors of the Children’s Dyslexia Center of Lancaster. She was always willing to help with the fundraisers and kept us on our toes during the meetings. We enjoyed when she would accompany Louise to the meetings after she retired. I will miss her spirit and sense of humor. My prayers are with you during your time of loss.

    Reply
  8. William E McCoy

    October 21, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    My deepest sympathy to Louise and all the family members….Enjoyed knowing your mother while attending church services,,,,,,Also recall visiting your home some years ago when we needed to do some music rehearsal during which your mother was most helpful… A gracious lady . Blessings to all the family..!

    Reply

Leave Your Condolence Cancel reply

Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields

Tell A Friend

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Obituary Notification Service

Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:

I agree to be emailed to confirm my subscription to this list

Proud Members Of:

Lancaster funeral homes

Directions

Orange Street Location

Lancaster, PA & Area Weather

141 East Orange Street, PA 17602
January 26, 2021, 7:04 am
Mostly cloudy
Mostly cloudy
32°F
sunrise: 7:18 am
sunset: 5:17 pm
 
Marietta Avenue Location

Connect With Us Online

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Obituary Notification Service

Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:

I agree to be emailed to confirm my subscription to this list

Click Here to Download Our Forms

downloadforms1
DeBord-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 141 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA,17602, - Phone: (717) 394-4097 Email: info@debordsnyder.com
2024 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA,17603, - Phone: (717) 394-4097 Email: info@debordsnyder.com

Copyright © 2021 DeBord-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory , All rights reserved.

Contact | Directions | Obituaries | Site Map | Lancaster Cremation | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Website by FRM Websites