Helen Quinn, 73, died peacefully on October 23, 2013 surrounded by her loving family following her courageous battle with diabetes and cancer. She was born July 21, 1940 to Jose and Maria Cordeiro. Helen was one of thirteen children; being second to the youngest which taught her the importance of hard work and family.
Helen began her work life in the factories of New Bedford, and soon moved on to waitressing at the local restaurant Lionel's where she met the love of her life, Charles Quinn. She was swept off her feet and soon after became his lovely bride. They settled in New Bedford where they raised four children; Kathleen, Charlie, Karen and Maryann.
She worked at St. Luke’s Hospital in the dietary department for 20 years, where she touched many patient’s and co-worker’s lives with her unforgettable kindness and forever smile.
Helen’s home was filled with the smells of freshly baked cupcakes, homemade soups and everyone's favorites. Her greatest enjoyments were spending time with her grandchildren and family, going to the casino, cooking and picking blueberries.
She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Charles Quinn; her children, Kathleen and husband William Sylvia of Acushnet, Charles Jr. and his wife Mary Quinn of Dartmouth, and her twins, Maryann and her husband Peter Winiarski of Falmouth, and Karen and her husband Tom McNulty of Stratham, NH. Helen is also survived by her grandchildren, William Jr., Jennifer, and Jay Sylvia, Elizabeth and her husband Drew Cabral, Charles III, Michael, and Kaity Quinn, Jessica and Joshua Winiarski, and Patrick and Corinne McNulty. She also has a great-grandson Andrew Cabral.
Helen is also survived by her loving sisters, Agnes Burgess, Dorothy Cordeiro, Mary Sylvia, Laura Sylvia, Ezilda Vieira, Margarita Lopes, and brother Joseph Cordeiro.
She was predeceased by her loving grandson, Petey Winiarski, and siblings Narcizo Cordeiro, Theresa Mendoza, Hilda Harriman, Anna Ramos, and Michael Cordeiro.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 9 AM in Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Burial will be in St. Anthony's Cemetery, East Falmouth. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-5 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.