A selfless stalwart who did so much for Troon
Tributes have poured in for a dedicated community stalwart who tried to make her town a better place.
Helen Duff will be remembered for her key role in organising Troon’s landmark annual events.
The leader of the Troon Community Council since 2016, she was instrumental in arranging the Glasgow Taxis event and bringing Santa to the town for Wintertainment.
Helen died after a short battle with lung cancer on Sunday, August 22 in Ayr Hospital. She was 65.
Her devastated family have paid tribute to the doting gran and mother-of-five who made them all “extremely proud”.
Helen was a loving wife to Grant and the couple were married for 43 years.
Together, they had two daughters, Ashlee, 36, and Diane, 40, and three sons, Gavin, 38, Craig, 35, and Grant jnr who passed away in May 2019, aged 41.
Daughter Diane has told how her selfless mum gave her life to her family and community.
Diane told the Post: “She was just the rock of our family - we were everything to her.
“She loved to be nana and not gran, she absolutely adored each and every one of her grandchildren, they kept her going.
“My mum was caring and kind, she was very selfless, it was always about others she never put herself before anyone.”
Diane has told how her mum who was instrumental in the organisation of the annual trip of Glasgow Taxis to Troon and was sad to see the event cancelled due to Covid.
Diane added: “She was a big part of Wintertainment and organising that but her big passion was the Glasgow Taxis.
“She knew Covid was tough on everyone but she was really sad to see the taxis cancelled and she looked forward to seeing them back again this year.”
Troon councillor Philip Saxton sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the family.
The Labour politician said: “I am very sorry to hear the sad passing of Troon community chair Mrs Helen Duff. I have known Helen for more years than I can remember and her husband Grant and family.
“Helen is a prime example of a working-class individual who dedicated her free time for the benefit of the Troon community.
“She spent a lot of time helping residents with personal problems and she will be sadly missed.”
SNP councillor Craig MacKay said: “Helen was dedicated to making Troon a better place for everyone.
“She was very much at the centre of initiatives run by the community council, and was in her element with events such as the gala day, Glasgow Taxis outing and Wintertainment.”
Central Ayrshire MP Philipa Whitford said: “I was very saddened to hear of the death of Helen Duff.
“As a key driving force behind the organisation of Wintertainment, the Troon Gala and other community initiatives, she will be sorely missed by our town. My thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Helen started to represent her community as a member of the harbour tenants and residents association and attended meetings with Troon’s community council 38 years ago.
The family moved away from the harbour but Helen continued as a community leader before being announced as the chair of Troon Community Council, taking over from Bob Pollock in 2016.
Community council standin chair Dougie Graham says members will pay tribute and continue to be inspired by her work.
He said: “Helen is the thirdlongest serving member of the community council.
“I knew her for well over 20 years. She asked me to be her vice-chair - she was a good friend and very well respected in Troon.
“She was just a good person who was very good at handling the meetings and minutes.
“She always got her points across and never stood any nonsense. She will be missed and remembered by everyone involved in the community council.”
The family have shown their appreciation to the NHS staff at Station 8 at Ayr Hospital for the care given to Helen.
Diane added: “They were phenomenal to my mum, all the staff were just brilliant, they went over and above for her, we as a family are so grateful to them.
“We were able to be with her mum till the end.”
Helen was dedicated to making Troon a better place for everyone
Craig MacKay