Helen K. McMaster

Always the Air Force Wife, Helen Katherine McMaster (née Duncan) joined her late husband Duane on their last PCS (Permanent Change of Station) on September 14, 2025.

Born March 29, 1938, Helen was the youngest of six children born to Helena (Swicegood) and E.F. Duncan, Sr. in Lonoke, Arkansas. The family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in 1953, where Helen graduated from College High and Bartlesville Business College. Following the family's move to Wichita Falls, Texas, she met and married Duane E. McMaster. Duane's Air Force career took them to Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Montana; Hahn AFB, Germany; and Schilling AFB, Kansas. Leaving active duty, the two settled in Rochester, Minnesota. Their only child, Robert William, was born there and Helen worked at St. Mary's Hospital while Duane served in the Minnesota Air National Guard. In 1974, they returned to Arkansas where Duane joined the Arkansas Air National Guard.

Helen's Arkansas employment included 18 years at Worthen Bank and Trust, where she rose to Assistant Vice President, and ten years at Counseling Services of Jacksonville. She was a member of the Bicentennial Chapter of the American Business Women's Association where she served as President and was elected Woman of the Year; she was Co-Founder, Chairman, and President of the Central Arkansas Compensation Association; and Co-Founder, President, and Woman of the Year for the Wings of Freedom Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. She participated in other business and social organizations as well. She served on the Board of Boy Scout Troop 128 in Jacksonville. She was an active Band and Orchestra parent, and was most proud of being "Drama Mama" to Jane and the kids in the Jacksonville High School Speech and Drama Department.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; her parents, Helena and E.F.; four brothers, Frank, Bill, John and Albert, and sister Elizabeth Scott; her in-laws Pearl and Robert McMaster.

She is survived by her son, Robert William McMaster; special nephews Hubert C. Scott and Thomas Scott and his wife Carolyn; great-nieces, Jessica with husband Rex, and Mary with husband Matt; and "her boys", Brayden (son of Jessica) and Joseph (son of Mary); by Duane's sister Sandy and brother Larry and their extended families; as well as her sorority sisters (Nu Master, BSP), church family at St. Stephen's, and a multitude of beloved friends, in particular all the Phillips family and Sandy.

A celebration of her life will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 2413 Northeastern Ave, Jacksonville, Arkansas on Friday, September 26th at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment of ashes at Lonoke Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice.