Obituary for Helen Dubois
HELEN M. (REILLY) SULLIVAN DUBOIS
Our dear mother and grandmother, Helen M. Dubois of Warwick passed peacefully into eternal life on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Rhode Island Hospital from complications of COVID-19, just two weeks shy of her 94th birthday. She was the wife of the late John H. Dubois who passed away in 1979.
Helen was born in Woonsocket, R.I. on January 20, 1927 to the late John F. and Mary (Cryan) Reilly. Her death marks the end of an era for the rooted Cryan-Reilly clan in the city’s north end, as she was predeceased by all of her siblings including John F. of Houston, TX, Leonard B. of Norfolk, VA., and Mary J. Kane of Woonsocket. All were raised together in a traditional and loving Irish-Catholic home, attended St. Charles’ Elementary School, and were active parishioners of St. Charles’ Parish.
After graduation from Woonsocket High School, Helen began nursing training at Rhode Island Hospital. Her studies were interrupted when John returned from his WWII service in the United States Navy; they married and started their family. Besides raising her children she also found time to work as an Operator for the New England Telephone Company. She later worked at United Camera, as a Secretary for former Warwick Mayor, Eugene McCaffrey, and as a secretary at CODAC, RI. Following her retirement she enjoyed travelling to such far-away places as Israel, Ireland, Yugoslavia, Okinawa, and several of the United States.
A devout Catholic, Helen belonged to Stephen Ministries, the Legion of Mary, and Eucharistic Ministry, serving for many years at St. Francis de Sales Church in North Kingstown. Prayer lines were very important to her and she spent many hours in prayer for those in need. She very much loved to go out to lunch with "the girls" and really savored her sweet treats, especially enjoying ice cream.
A long-time Woonsocket resident, Helen lived most of her life in Rhode Island but also enjoyed the 12 years she resided with her daughter, Marie, and son-in-law Rene in North Carolina. She returned home to R.I. in August of 2020.
She is survived by her children, James F. Dubois, David W. Dubois (wife Mary), and Stephen M. Dubois (wife Barbara), all in Rhode Island; John H. Dubois (wife Nancy)and Marie C. (husband Rene) Anctil, all of North Carolina; and Leonard A. Dubois of Massachusetts. Helen was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was also the "adopted mother" to many and a fast friend to all she met.
Helen was predeceased by her daughter, Lorraine, and her husband Rennie Smith of Norfolk, Virginia and by her daughter-in-law Dana (Galin) Dubois of Massachusetts.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the compassionate and caring staff at Brookdale West Bay, Roger Williams Hospital, Warren Health Center, and Rhode Island Hospital for all they did to make our dear Helen comfortable and safe during her period of declining health. In return, Helen's prayer would be that God bless them and all the ‘health care heroes’, everywhere.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Berarducci Home & Cremation Care Center, 185 Spring Street, Woonsocket. Helen’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the family’s beloved St. Charles’ Church and livestreamed on the funeral home's Facebook Page on Wednesday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m., followed by a private burial in the family lot at St. Charles’ Cemetery. The A proper celebration of the life of Helen M. Reilly Dubois will be held at a future date when it will be safe for all family and friends to attend.
At Helen’s own request, those wishing to honor her with a memorial donation are respectfully asked to consider an adoption agency or a charity of one’s choice. The family would also appreciate prayers for the repose of Helen’s sweet soul at any house of worship and/or entry of her name on a prayer line as she did for so many over the years.
Our dear mother and grandmother, Helen M. Dubois of Warwick passed peacefully into eternal life on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at Rhode Island Hospital from complications of COVID-19, just two weeks shy of her 94th birthday. She was the wife of the late John H. Dubois who passed away in 1979.
Helen was born in Woonsocket, R.I. on January 20, 1927 to the late John F. and Mary (Cryan) Reilly. Her death marks the end of an era for the rooted Cryan-Reilly clan in the city’s north end, as she was predeceased by all of her siblings including John F. of Houston, TX, Leonard B. of Norfolk, VA., and Mary J. Kane of Woonsocket. All were raised together in a traditional and loving Irish-Catholic home, attended St. Charles’ Elementary School, and were active parishioners of St. Charles’ Parish.
After graduation from Woonsocket High School, Helen began nursing training at Rhode Island Hospital. Her studies were interrupted when John returned from his WWII service in the United States Navy; they married and started their family. Besides raising her children she also found time to work as an Operator for the New England Telephone Company. She later worked at United Camera, as a Secretary for former Warwick Mayor, Eugene McCaffrey, and as a secretary at CODAC, RI. Following her retirement she enjoyed travelling to such far-away places as Israel, Ireland, Yugoslavia, Okinawa, and several of the United States.
A devout Catholic, Helen belonged to Stephen Ministries, the Legion of Mary, and Eucharistic Ministry, serving for many years at St. Francis de Sales Church in North Kingstown. Prayer lines were very important to her and she spent many hours in prayer for those in need. She very much loved to go out to lunch with "the girls" and really savored her sweet treats, especially enjoying ice cream.
A long-time Woonsocket resident, Helen lived most of her life in Rhode Island but also enjoyed the 12 years she resided with her daughter, Marie, and son-in-law Rene in North Carolina. She returned home to R.I. in August of 2020.
She is survived by her children, James F. Dubois, David W. Dubois (wife Mary), and Stephen M. Dubois (wife Barbara), all in Rhode Island; John H. Dubois (wife Nancy)and Marie C. (husband Rene) Anctil, all of North Carolina; and Leonard A. Dubois of Massachusetts. Helen was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. She was also the "adopted mother" to many and a fast friend to all she met.
Helen was predeceased by her daughter, Lorraine, and her husband Rennie Smith of Norfolk, Virginia and by her daughter-in-law Dana (Galin) Dubois of Massachusetts.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the compassionate and caring staff at Brookdale West Bay, Roger Williams Hospital, Warren Health Center, and Rhode Island Hospital for all they did to make our dear Helen comfortable and safe during her period of declining health. In return, Helen's prayer would be that God bless them and all the ‘health care heroes’, everywhere.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Berarducci Home & Cremation Care Center, 185 Spring Street, Woonsocket. Helen’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the family’s beloved St. Charles’ Church and livestreamed on the funeral home's Facebook Page on Wednesday, January 13th at 10:00 a.m., followed by a private burial in the family lot at St. Charles’ Cemetery. The A proper celebration of the life of Helen M. Reilly Dubois will be held at a future date when it will be safe for all family and friends to attend.
At Helen’s own request, those wishing to honor her with a memorial donation are respectfully asked to consider an adoption agency or a charity of one’s choice. The family would also appreciate prayers for the repose of Helen’s sweet soul at any house of worship and/or entry of her name on a prayer line as she did for so many over the years.