Helena Fitzgibbon Quilty, 76 of Duxbury, died Thursday, May 19 at her home in Placida, Fla. surrounded by family.

The eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fitzgibbon of Worcester, Mrs. Quilty  graduated from St. Peter’s High School and Worcester State Teaching College.  She once traveled on a month long tour of Europe. She met and married her husband John Quilty in 1960. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2010.  A retired Duxbury school teacher, Mrs. Quilty’s career spanned over 30 years.  Mrs. Quilty was the founder and president of The Walnut Hill Garden Club of Hanover and a federated judge within the circuit.  She earned numerous awards and distinctions for her talent in the field of competitive floral design.  Mrs. Quilty summered on Vinalhaven, Maine for 25 years.  She enjoyed entertaining family and friends, cooking, reading, gardening and teaching design classes.

Mrs. Quilty leaves her husband John Robert Quilty II; four children, Elizabeth Quilty of Duxbury, John and Susan Quilty of Duxbury, Kathryn and George Dodge of Little Gasparilla Island, Fla., and Patrick and Marilyn Quilty of Duxbury; her sister Mary Patricia Anderson and brother-in-law, Donald Anderson of York Harbor, Maine; 11  grandchildren; and two nieces.

A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Parish in Duxbury on Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m.  A reception/brunch will follow. The family will hold a private burial at a later time.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Mrs.Quilty to the Duxbury Education Foundation, P.O. Box  1264  Duxbury, MA 02331  or duxburyeducationfoundation.org.