Helen Turmel

Born on Jan. 9, 1939, in Lake Placid, she was the daughter of Philip and Mae (Strack) Duprey of Ray Brook.

Helen attended St. Bernard’s School and Saranac Lake High School, graduating with the class of 1957. After graduation, she moved to Albany, New York, where she was employed at the New York Telephone Company for 12 years.

After moving back to Ray Brook in 1971, Helen retired from the American Management Association in Saranac Lake after 30 years of service. In January 2002, she was employed at the Adirondack Medical Center as a per diem employee, working in both registration and later in the Bariatric Clinic.

Helen was a member of St. Bernard’s Parish Separated and Divorced Catholic Group. She co-chaired the group with Sister Mary Celeste, RSM (who established the group); Sister Carolyn Madden, RSM; and Frank Ratigan. She also attended the State Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics, sponsored by the Diocese of Ogdensburg, held in Lake Placid in May 1980.

Helen is survived by her brother, Stephen Duprey of Saranac Lake; sisters Dale Prividera (her companion Rico Cannone) of Albany, Susan (William) Thompson of North Port, Florida and Mary Duprey of Slingerlands, New York; sister-in-law Margaret (Madge) Duprey of Saranac Lake; brother-in-law Mario Prividera of Leland, North Carolina; her niece; nephews; a great-niece and great-nephews; and her loving cat Maddy. She also wanted to acknowledge her treasured friends and neighbors.

Helen was predeceased by her son, Michael Turmel; brothers Philip (Bear) Duprey and Charles (Cubby) Duprey; nephew Philip Michael Duprey Jr.; and sister-in-law Mya Duprey.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at St. Bernard’s Church Chapel with the Rev. Martin Cline officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carmelite Sisters; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad and Whiteface Mountain Masonic Lodge, in care of Fortune-Keough Funeral Home.

Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

Helen’s family would like to thank the Saranac Lake Rescue Squad and the staff at the Adirondack Medical Center for all the assistance and excellent care they provided to Helen.