RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Helen Marie Dufloe age 79 of Walnut Streetpassed away peacefully on Friday afternoon February 13, 2009 in Folts Homes, Herkimer. She was born in Richfield Springs on August 5, 1929 and was the daughter of the late Adelbert and Beatrice Ostrander Emrich. Helen was raised in Herkimer where she was a graduate of Herkimer High Schoolwith the class of 1947. Upon completing high school she worked as the secretary to the principal in the Herkimer School System. It was on Thanksgiving eve in 1948 when she became engaged to Robert Dufloe. They were united in marriage on January 1, 1949 in the Dutch Reformed Church, Herkimer. They honeymooned in New York City and returned to make their home in Richfield Springs on Walnut Street. Helen and Robert shared a loving and devoted union of sixty years. For a number of years they vacationed in New York City and in later years traveled the western United States. Mrs. Dufloe was gifted with exceptional organizational and bookkeeping skills. Having a strong sense of community, she was member and past president of the Richfield Springs Fire Department Auxiliary. As a member of Arbutus Chapter #317 Order of the Eastern Star Richfield Springs, she had served as Past Matron, Past Deputy Grand Matron of the Otsego-Schoharie District and Secretary of the chapter. She was active in local, county, state and national politics. She was a past Vice Chairman of the Otsego County Republican Committee and had the distinction of being the first woman Trustee of the Village of Richfield Springs. She attended the inauguration of Governor Nelson E. Rockefeller as well as the New York State Republican Convention at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City with Senator and Mrs. James Seward. Mrs. Dufloe had a strong belief in God and was first a member of the Herkimer Reformed Church where she had taught Sunday school. She later transferred her membership to the First Presbyterian Church in Richfield Springs where she taught Sunday school as well. After coming to Richfield Springs she was secretary for Attorney William Weldon. She was also employed at Boss Livestock Sales and was a bookkeeper for the Roberts Dress Manufacturing Company in Richfield Springs and Mohawk. Most notably, she worked at the State Bank of Albany in Richfield Springs and Mohawk where she was an Account Supervisor, retiring in 1985 after thirty-three years of dedicated service. To all who knew her, she was a warm, loving and caring person who was always there to help. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and family. Surviving are her husband Robert, a daughter in-law, Linda Dufloe of Richfield Springs, one granddaughter, Trisha Dufloe and her fianc Josh Tynan of Oswego, and a cousin Dorothy Miller of Richfield Springs. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her only son William Dufloe in January of 2006. Funeral service will be on Wednesday at 11:00 am in the Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs with the Reverend Arthur Miner, Pastor officiating. Interment will be later this spring in Lakeview Cemetery. The family will be present in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home; 40 West James Street, Richfieldsprings to receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 until 8:00 pm. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad or the charity of your choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Members of Otsego-Hartwick-Arbutus Chapter #201 OES are asked to meet at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 7:45 pm for ritualistic services.