Jan. 12, 1934-Jan. 26, 2003

MILTON-FREEWATER – Helen Ann Durfee, 69, of Milton-Freewater, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at St. Mary Medical Center.

At her request, there will be no funeral.

Mrs. Durfee was born Jan. 12, 1934, at Basin, Wyo., to James and Lucy Burgess Booth. The family later moved to Salem where she graduated from North Salem High School.

In 1956, she earned her teaching degree from Oregon College of Education and completed graduate courses at Eastern Washington University.

On June 16, 1956, she married Elbert G. Durfee at Salem. The couple lived at Klamath Falls and La Grande until October 1961 when they moved to Dayton where they raised their children.

Mrs. Durfee taught school at Klamath Falls, La Grande, Columbia, Starbuck and Dayton, substituting and serving as a migrant educator for several years, most recently in the Touchet school system.

She was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed high school sports.

She enjoyed baking, cooking, reading, fishing, hunting, music, art and computers and also enjoyed time spent with her family in the mountains and at the ocean.

She faced the challenges of acute myelogenous leukemia, the last few years.

Survivor include her husband at the home; daughter, Teri Durfee of Milton-Freewater; sons, Stuart Durfee of Touchet and Jess Durfee of Albany; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A brother, James Booth Jr., preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Regional Cancer Center or Touchet Education Foundation through Professional Funeral Director and Crematory, 2112 S. Second Ave., Walla Walla, WA 99362.