Helen Darlyn Pfeiffer Echard

Helen Darlyn Pfeiffer Echard, known and loved by her family as "Grandma Helen," passed away peacefully at her home in Bossier City, Louisiana, on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the age of 75. She left this life surrounded by her family, listening to Alan Jackson sing "The Old Rugged Cross," with her daughter, Jennifer, holding her hand and her son-in-law, Bob, praying over her.

Helen was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 18, 1951, to John Pfeiffer, Jr. and Marlyn Haughey, and was also loved by her stepfather, Darg Haughey. She made Bossier City her home for more than four decades.

Helen's life was a testament to determination and sacrifice. While caring for her daughter, Helen worked as an EKG technician and attended nursing school. She graduated from the Northwestern School of Nursing in Shreveport in 1988 and went on to work the night shift as a nurse at Schumpert Hospital in Shreveport. The last couple of years of her nursing career were spent caring for veterans as a nurse at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City.

In 1987, Helen married Virgil "Vic" Echard, Jr., a Vietnam War veteran who served with the 1st Cavalry Division and received the Purple Heart. Helen was a proud Gold Star Wife.

In 2003, the arrival of her first grandchild gave Helen the name she would carry for the rest of her life, Grandma Helen. Her grandchildren, Kate and Matthew, were among the great joys of her life. Grandma Helen treasured watching them grow up and being an active part of their lives.

Helen loved the beach, and some of her happiest days were spent on summer vacations with her family in Ocean City, Maryland. Crab cakes were a favorite, especially from Phillips Crab House. She enjoyed fishing, music (especially Toby Keith and Alan Jackson), and playing Scrabble with her family, though few could ever match Vic, a true Scrabble genius.

Helen had a special love for animals, especially her dogs over the years: Peaches, Rascal, Shadow, Thelma, and Louise, who went before her, and the family dogs Ellie and Sadie. For ten years, Ellie was Grandma Helen's daily companion, and during her illness, Ellie spent her days asleep at Helen's feet as she rested.

Helen was a woman of quiet Christian faith. As she came to terms with a long-term illness, she met it with four simple words: "It's in Jesus's hands." Her peace in knowing that her final destination was Heaven, and that she had nothing left to fear in this life, was a gift to all who loved her.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil "Vic" Echard, Jr.; her parents, John Pfeiffer, Jr. and Marlyn Haughey; her stepfather, Darg Haughey; her in-laws, Frank and Patricia Berardino, Virgil Echard, Sr.; and her brother, Raymond Pfeiffer, and his wife, Maroulina, who was also a dear friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Bob Fortune, Jr., of Bossier City; her beloved grandchildren, Kate Fortune of Dallas, Texas, and Matthew Fortune of Bossier City; her brothers, Clifford Pfeiffer, Jr. and his wife, Bobbie, of Pennsylvania, and John Pfeiffer of Florida; her mother-in-law and close friend, Joan Echard.

Grandma Helen was also a beloved member of the Fortune family of Bossier City, including Shirley Fortune and the late Robert Fortune, Sr.; Wes and Kara Fortune and their children; Patrick and Tracie (Fortune) Omlie and their children; Jeff and Callie Fortune and their children; and Jodi Fortune.

The family extends special thanks to the Amedisys Hospice staff who so compassionately cared for and comforted Helen, especially Christie, Anne, Bettye, Shalitha, Amanda, and Brother Jim.

A memorial service celebrating Helen’s life will be held in Bossier City, Louisiana, in May 2027, around the time of her birthday, allowing family and friends to gather and honor her memory. Details of the memorial service will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home,3130 Arthur Ray Teaque Pkwy, Bossier City, Louisiana, or the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana, www.hsnwla.com.