Helen A. "Jo Jo" Duffy, a resident of Commerce, Georgia and formerly of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away on August 18, 2024. She was 83 years old. Helen was born on March 3, 1941 in Peekskill, New York to the late Joseph and Angeline (DeMatteo) Letteri. Helen was raised in Verplanck, New York, one of six children and was affectionately known as Jo Jo or Pearl and as the Christmas Tree Lady where her late husband, Larry, delighted thousands of people with their exquisite Christmas display on the corner of Riverview Avenue and Kings Ferry Road in Verplanck.
Before her retirement, Jo Jo worked for years at numerous restaurants such as Red Shutter and Castle restaurant. Her and her father Joseph purchased a property on Riverview Avenue and 6th Street in Verplanck, opened a greenhouse and vegetable market. Her love of flowers and landscape was evident in her picturesque property.
After her retirement, she adopted her great nephew, Johnny, who she cherished and loved, moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Johnny was the love of her life and predeceased her at a young age.
A memorial service is scheduled in her memory at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, 170 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose, NY 10548 on Friday, September 6th from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, September 7th at 10am at St. Patrick’s Church, 240 11th Street, Verplanck, NY 10596. An inurnment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Broadway, Verplanck, NY 10596.
In lieu of flowers, Jo Jo requested that contributions to be made in her memory to St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 240 11th Street, Verplanck, NY 10596.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
