Wahkiakum County Eagle-April 23, 2009 Cathlamet, WA Helen B. Durrah Helen Bernadine Durrah died April 2, 2009 at Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association in Brookline, Massachusetts. She had been living in Boston since 1971, where she had worked for the First Church of Christ Science as a longtime accountant, retiring in 1988. She was born in Astoria on December 22, 1917 to Elmer Durrah and Nellie (Larson) Durrah of Eden Valley. She was raised there, graduating in 1935 from Naselle High School. She lived in Seattle for a time, privately learning to fly at Boeing field. In 1944, she joined the U.S. Navy, and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Specialist (T) (LT) third class. She trained new pilots in simulators. After the war she attended the University of Washington and graduated in 1951 with a BA degree in history. She was always a traveler, working in New York, Switzerland, and Boston . Her passions were her Christian Science Church, reading, family and genealogy. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Harold Durrah of Santa Barbara and George Durrah of Skamokawa. She is survived by her brother James Durrah of Skamokawa; nephews Richard and Jolan Durrah of Skamokawa, Russell and Kathy Durrah of Cathlamet, Dwaine Durrah of Longview , Jon Durrah of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and niece Ruth and Steven Doumit of Cathlamet. The Durrah family is one of the first pioneer families in Western Wahkiakum, settling there approximately in 1876 from New Brunswick, Canada. Cremation has taken place by Hamel, Wickens & Troupe Funeral Home in Quincy, Mass., Helen will be laid to rest with her parents at Greenwood Cemetery in Cathlamet. Greenwood Cemetery-Cathlamet, WA 22 December 1917-2 April 2009 (As compiled by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society in 2009.)