Elaine Carol Wendy (Helie, Britton) Duquette of West Swanzey, died April 12, 2012, at the Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene from an ongoing illness, with her children by her side.

She was born in Keene June 4, 1939, daughter of Oscar George Helie & Florieda (Beland) Helie, who originated from Canada.

Mrs. Duquette attended St. Joseph School and Keene High School. She had to leave school before graduating to take care of her invalid mother. However, she was proud to be able to obtain her G.E.D. later in life.

She worked at various jobs: Princess Shoe, Roberts-Harts Shoe Company, Bank Village and Troy Mills. However, her most rewarding job was being a mother and a memier (French for grandmother). She was proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She loved to go dancing, listening to her daughter, Sonja sing, being a homemaker, sewing quilts for loved ones, playing Bingo, going to yard sales and playing cards.

She was also a member of the Woman's Auxiliary VFW Post #799 in Keene. She loved being involved in all family functions and having family and friends stop over. She loved her friends and family and greeted all with a friendly, warm laugh, or smile and an offering of something to eat or drink.

Survivors include her partner of 18 years, Robert "Hoppy" Austin of West Swanzey; two daughters, Sonja Robbins and her Husband, Birney, Sr., of Winchester and Jody Goodell and her husband, Todd of Swanzey; two sons, Daniel Britton and his wife, Gari, of Morganton, N.C., and John Britton and his wife, Cheryl of Winchester; her stepchildren, James Duquette, Jr., Ricky Duquette, Norma Davis, and Lorenda Duquette; her grandchildren, Nealon Brown, Jr., Nicholas Brown, Karrie Ebbighausen, Birney Robbins, Jr., Becky Robbins, Tyler Goodell, Jacob Goodell, Tausha Britton, Kimberly Britton, Jonathan Britton; her step-grandchildren, Gary James Duquette, Mathew and Susan Davis, Randy, Robbie & Chrystal Fish; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews & cousins. A son Henry Britton, Jr., a step-daugher Billie-Jo Lemieux, two grandchildren, Tracey Britton and Sean Robbins, her brothers, Norman, Robert, & Earl Helie, her sisters, Lucille (Loretta) White, and Mary Rose (Anita) Desjardins and her first husband, Henry W. Britton, all died earlier.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Elaine's name to the Inspire School for Autism, 77 Dylan Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or on its website http://theinspireschool.org.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court St. in Keene.