Helen G. Rivera of Londonderry, NH passed away on September 26, 2020 at Hanover Hill Health Care Center in Manchester NH at the age of 92.
Helen was born on December 14, 1927 in Everett MA, the daughter of the late Agrippina “Agnes” (Speranza) and Leonard DiGiacomo. She was also stepdaughter to the late Mary (Cioffi) DiGiacomo. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Daniel R. Rivera, and her brother Leonard DiGiacomo Jr.
Helen is survived by her son Daniel Rivera and his wife Roberta “Bobbi” of Dracut MA, and her daughter Andrea Almquist and her husband Mark of Londonderry, NH. She leaves five grandchildren, Lisa Dore and her partner Mike Harrison, Kristen Chartier and her husband Bobby, Michael Cardello, Tyler Almquist and his wife Cherith, and Logan Almquist and his fiancé Emily Cronan. She also leaves several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, as well as her sister Mary Ann Canney and her husband James “Jimmy” Canney of Henderson NV.
Helen’s greatest joy was her family, followed very closely by her love of shopping and food. She followed politics, movie stars and her favorite TV shows. She was an incredible person with the most positive outlook on life, always finding joy in the happiness and accomplishments of others. Helen was genuinely interested in everyone she met and you felt it. She prayed hard for others and loved them with the same intensity. There was never a holiday or special occasion that a card wasn’t received from her, up to her final days.
Due to her gift of gab (and hearing loss), we have hundreds of “Helenisms.” These are phrases or comments that may or may not have anything to do with the subject being discussed. She leaves us with much to reflect upon with genuine joy and laughter. Her faith and sense of humor served her well her entire life. Saying she’ll be greatly missed isn’t big enough to convey the void she leaves in our lives.
Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2020 from 5-8 PM at the Peabody Funeral Home and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry NH. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:00am in the funeral home concluding with burial with her husband Daniel in the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. Due to State of NH guidelines, all guests are required to wear masks, minimize contact and maintain social distancing. Contributions in her memory can be made to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. www.stjude.org