Mrs Helen Murphy Balcom

The Savannah native was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Frank E.

Balcom, her son Frank E. (Bubba) Balcom Jr., her parents Dennis Walburg and

Gertrude Murkin Murphy, her brother Dennis W. (Bubba) Murphy Jr. and her

sisters Catherine Murphy Harmon and Gertrude Murphy South.

Helen was a genteel southern lady who always had a kind word for everyone and

always saw the best in all people. She was a devout Catholic spending the majority of

her life in the Cathedral Parish where all of her children attended school. She

began her volunteer work in the lunch room of Cathedral Day School and in 1959

was asked to head the lunch program at St. Vincent’s Academy, a position she

held for 33 years.

In addition to lunches, she also prepared food for all receptions and dinners held at

the school. She was affectingly known as “Mrs. B” by generations of St. Vincent’s

girls. While at St. Vincent, she was awarded the McAuley Award and the Bishop

Gartland Service Award. The kitchen at the school is named “Mrs. B’s Kitchen.”

Helen has always had a love for Tybee Island and has lived there for the last 17

years. But her love for the beach started long ago, when she would move the entire

family to Tybee for the summer.

Helen was the oldest active member of the Daughter’s of Ireland and a member of

the American Legion Auxiliary on Tybee Island.

Helen had a great love for the Irish and looked forward to St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

She said on the corner of Price and Broughton each year and great numbers of the

Irish stopped by to give her a kiss.

Helen is survived by two daughters Carole Balcom Pappas and Helene Balcom

Small; a son Anthony Kurt Balcom (Judy); a sister Joan Murphy/Sister Dennis

Marie Murphy; seven grandchildren, Denise Pappas Fischer (Dan), David Pappas , Jr.

(Donna) of Goose Creek, S.C., Frank Balcom III (Amy), Jason Balcom, Brian

Balcom (Heather), Rebecca Balcom and Jenna Balcom; nine great grandchildren,

Daniel and Kevin Fischer, Caitlyn and Jordan Balcom, David ,III, Marissa, Caitlin

and Andrew Pappas of South Carolina and Brian Balcom Jr. as well as many

nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at the Cathedral of St.

John the Baptist, followed by the rosary at 6 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at noon Saturday Nov.16 at the

Cathedral of John the Baptist with burial to follow in Catholic Cemetery.

Services will be conducted by Monsignor P. James Costigan and Rev. J. Gerard Schreck.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent’s Academy at

207 Liberty St. Savannah, GA 31401 or Mercy Convent, 11801 McAuley Dr.

Savannah, GA 31419.

Fairhaven Funeral Home - Hubert C. Baker Chapel

7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive

Savannah, Ga 31406

912-927-1999