Helen Faye Durham Armstrong

Helen Durham Armstrong, age 89, formerly of Lake Worth, FL, and Beckley, WV, passed away Monday, June 2, 2014, at Springtree Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Sunrise, FL, with her beloved grandson, Devin DeLucia, at her side. Helen was born on August 31, 1924, in Sylvia, WV. As a young lady in Beckley during WWII, Helen was an active member of the USO and the ladies' auxiliary of the VFW. After the war, her family relocated to South Florida where Helen began a long career as an executive secretary. A career woman when it was uncommon to be one, Helen was proud of her membership in the Business and Professional Women's Club. She later married Boyd Burk Armstrong. The marriage did not succeed, but Helen felt blessed to have two daughters whom she strongly and proudly raised on her own. During her years in Lake Worth, Helen was a dedicated parishioner of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Redeemer, becoming the first woman appointed to that church's vestry. She was also a Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout troop leader, and PTA member. Before becoming stricken with arthritis, she was an avid nature lover and bird watcher, her binoculars always at the ready to spy a new species. Above all, Helen was devoted to her family as a loving daughter, niece, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother. Helen's deep faith, good humor, optimistic outlook, and warm spirit touched everyone who knew her. She was preceded in death by her sister, Norma Lee Rahall, uncle John Walter Crook, stepfather Bernard Campbell, mother Mary Jane Campbell and many dear friends, most especially Irene Griffith of Huntington Beach, CA. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Lee DeLucia (Donald) of Lake Worth, FL, and Jane Ellen Armstrong (Don Olson) of Flagstaff, AZ, grandson Devin DeLucia of Lake Worth, nephew Richard Rahall of Gainesville, FL, and her lifelong best friend, Patricia Barnes of Sebastian, FL. A private family ceremony is planned. Friends and family are invited to make donations in memory of Helen to the charity of their choice. The family especially wishes to thank the staff and residents of Springtree Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center for providing a compassionate and comfortable home for Helen's last decade of life.

Arrangements under the direction of Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home, Lake Worth, FL.