Helen J. (Gula) Downing, 77, passed away at her home in Raynham on December 18, 2018, surrounded by comfort and love of family.
Helen was born and raised in Taunton, the daughter of the late Ernestine (Coute) and Joseph Gula.
She was educated in Taunton and a graduate of Taunton High School and went on to receive her degree from Bridgewater State College. Helen taught school for many years both in Berkley and Taunton, taking time away to raise her two daughters.
Helen is survived by her beloved husband Brian and her two cherished daughters, Susan and husband Thomas Bocamazo of Southborough and Christine and husband Mark Guzman of Middleborough.
She also leaves her two grandsons whom she adored, Jonathan and Matthew Bocamazo. In addition, she leaves her two sisters, Susan Howard of Brewster and Joann and husband Steven Madfounian of Rehoboth, and several nephews. Helen’s life was family, pure and simple.
The funeral service will be private at Helen’s request and burial will follow at the Pleasant Street Cemetery in Raynham. A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Ann’s Church in Raynham on December 29, 2018, at 10 a.m., to which all are invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen’s memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff of the Hudner Oncology Center in Fall River and especially to Dr. Nancy McKinney.
A note of thanks as well to Drs. Lisa Scott and Claudia Garcia and the staff of M7 at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton and also to Steward Home Care.
Thank you to all for the superb medical care, kindness and compassion given to all of us. We appreciate it more than words can express.
Arrangements are under the care of the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home in Taunton.