Helen Bragg White Curtin

Helen Bragg White Curtin, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on April 4, 2025, in Sea Island, Georgia.

Helen was born on January 11, 1935 in Camden, Arkansas, to Ethel Gaughan White and William Ormond White. Helen’s parents moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where she lived through high school. A strong tie to Camden continued, with frequent visits to Helen’s maternal grandparents, Thomas Joseph Gaughan and Helen Bragg Gaughan, for whom Helen was named. Helen was particularly close to her younger sister, Elizabeth Anne White.

From an early age, Helen developed a love for horses, in particular the American Saddlebred. From age nine to eighteen, Helen emerged as a nationally recognized equestrian, winning trophies near and far, including with her beloved three gaited gelding Radiant Aire. In the show ring, she demonstrated her love of competition, collecting seventy-five trophies. Her most proud accomplishment remained winning the American Horse Shows Association Medal Class in equitation at The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky three consecutive years.

Helen studied at St. Vincent’s Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana; Villa Duchesne School in St. Louis, Missouri; Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C.; Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y.; and The American University.

The course of her life changed when she met Bill Curtin, her cousin’s Georgetown University roommate, the handsome, charismatic student body leader and football player. They married in Shreveport on August 3, 1956, and made their home in the Washington, DC, area. Helen and Bill celebrated thirty-nine anniversaries until Bill’s untimely death in 1995. Bill was the Managing Partner of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Georgetown University. Through a marriage blessed by love and respect, Helen and Bill raised four children: Helen Bragg, Caroline, Bill, and Christopher. As parents, they imparted the values of faith, compassion, and humility, in pursuit of excellence guided by goodness.

Above all, she was the most devoted family member and friend—a matriarch in the truest sense of the word, and, upon the birth of her first grandchild, Helen became known to her family as “Honey.” She had a special relationship with each member of her family; when in her presence, loved ones felt like they were the most important person in the world. Helen made every occasion, including birthdays, holidays, and ordinary days, a milestone moment for her family. Her home was a place of peaceful, happy family gatherings. In joy and in hardship, Helen was a constant, unfailing presence, and an example of selfless love.

Helen also devoted time to enrich the lives of others. She was a founding Director and Co-Chair of the Washington Winter Show, the second oldest charitable antiques show in the United States. Promoting the success of the Washington Winter Show, where she maintained a leadership role, was one of Helen’s greatest philanthropic joys. Helen also served on the Board of The Washington International Horse Show. In support of her children’s educational pursuits, Helen served as Co-Chair of the Denison University Parents Program as well as Co-Chair of the Duke University Parents Program and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. She was an exuberant fan of Duke Athletics, cheering for her team throughout every contest.

An equestrian at heart, Helen taught all of her children to ride and care for horses, and she continued to excel in the show ring after her children were born. She enjoyed riding five gaited Saddlebreds, and she competed in the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Kentucky, riding Dear Sir James in a flawless performance.

Helen was a member of Chevy Chase Club, Sea Island Club, and Sulgrave Club. She was also a member of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America.

Helen was a devout member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac, Maryland, and St. William Catholic Church in St. Simon’s Island, Georgia.

Mrs. Curtin was predeceased by her parents William Ormond White and Ethel Gaughan White, her sister Elizabeth Anne White, and her husband William J. Curtin. She is survived by her children Helen Bragg Curtin Cleary (Richard), Caroline Goddard Curtin (Merritt), William Joseph Curtin, III, and Christopher Newport Curtin (Page); grandchildren Richard Simon Cleary, Jr. (Robin), Thomas Gaughan Cleary, Elizabeth Bragg Curtin, Mary Gaughan Curtin, John Goddard Connell, Caroline Hoyt Connell, and Helen Anne Curtin; her great-grandchildren, Margaret Webber Cleary, Helen Bragg Cleary, and Catherine Stewart Cleary; and her brother-in-law, David Murray Curtin (Lynne).

Helen led a life that her family will strive to emulate and honor.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April12 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Tarrytown, New York, or to the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.

Romans 8:18 “I consider the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.”