Helen Duffy

DUFFY , Helen (née Croal)

May 19, 1942 – May 12, 2025

On the afternoon of May 12^th our beloved mother and grandmother Helen Duffy passed peacefully from this world at Victoria Hospital, London, she was predeceased by her husband John “Jack” Duffy (2020).  Helen was born in Glasgow, Scotland on May 19^th, 1942, and was raised by her great aunt. As a young woman, Helen loved going out and spending the evening at “the dance halls” as she called them. It was on one of her nights out that Helen met her husband Jack. The two married in 1963, the same day the Beatles played in Glasgow for the first time. Their older son Raymond was born in 1964, and their younger son Terence followed in 1965.

Helen had dreamed about moving to Canada since she was a young girl and, in 1967, did just that. As her husband Jack had gone ahead of her, Helen followed soon after with her two small boys, arriving in Toronto and moving to London in 1969, settling in a home on Antrim Crescent where Helen would live for over 50 years. It was in London that Helen’s daughter Leica (John Groenewegen) was born in 1970. Helen was an incredible and loving mother to Ray, Terry and Leica who credit her as being the one constant in their lives, whom they could always rely on for support and for her wonderful sense of humour.

Helen worked in London at both Northern Telecom and Raymond Burke Motors. Following her retirement, Helen stayed very active. She loved to spend time with her two granddaughters, Kate and Jacqueline Groenewegen, visiting them frequently in Toronto. She said that taking care of her young granddaughters was “the best time of my life”. When at home in London she could often be seen walking her dogs around the neighbourhood, chatting with those she passed by, and always stopping to smile and say hello to dogs and babies. Helen volunteered for ten years at Victoria Hospital where she spent time holding “wee babies” in the NICU and then later guiding visitors around the hospital. Helen was a long-time parishioner at St. Justin’s Parish.

Helen’s family would like to thank the staff at Arbor Trace and the staff on the B9 floor at Victoria Hospital for taking wonderful care of her during her final months and days.

Visitation for family and friends will take place between 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday May 20^th, 2025 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South,  London. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday May 21^st, 2025 at St. Justin’s Parish, 855 Jalna Blvd, London.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwestern Ontario or the Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit in Helen’s honour. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com