Helen L. Duchesne, 96

Helen (née LaPlante) Duchesne, a resident of the Merrimack County Nursing Home, died on March 7, 2026, at age 96. She was predeceased in 2003 by her loving husband of 51 years, Robert Duchesne Sr.

Helen was born in East Andover, on July 16, 1929, the eldest of seven children born to J. Benjamin and Dorothy (née Hersey) LaPlante Sr. She grew up in East Andover, and along with her siblings, attended the one room school at Dyers Crossing. Helen was a graduate of Franklin High School and Plymouth Teachers College.

She was a 50-year resident of Bristol (Newfound Lake), and had previously lived in Concord, for 15 years. She was a wife and a mother, and over the years had taught in Laconia, New Jersey, Concord and the Newfound Area School District.

Helen had a lifelong interest in poetry and writing and was a long-time member of the New Hampshire Poetry Society. She was the author of four books: "In Their Time," "Echoes From The Mills," "Looking for Blue Skies," and "Pathway to Heaven."

Surviving family members include four sons, Robert (Sandi) Duchesne Jr., Mark (Lynn) Duchesne, Bryan Duchesne, and Matthew (Audrey) Duchesne; as well as three daughters, Anne Smith (Robert), Lynne Poulin (Richard), and Carole Moore. Helen is also survived by 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Rita Norander (Robert); and one brother-in-law, Al Mayo; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Helen was predeceased by four siblings and their spouses, J. Benjamin LaPlante Jr. (Ann), Eleanor Kehoe (Don), Irene Hoffmann (George), Margaret Paquette (F. Andre), and her sister, Janet Mayo.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul’s Church, St. Gabriel Parish, 110 School St., Franklin, at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 26. 

Burial will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, for those who may be interested, the family suggests a memorial donation in Helen’s name to the Newfound Lake Region Association, 178 North Shore Road, Hebron, NH 03241.

The Thibault-Neun Funeral Home, 143 Franklin St., Franklin, is assisting the family with arrangements.