Helen E. (Betty) Dwinells

Be strong and Courageous (Joshua 1:9)

Helen E.  “Betty” Dwinells, 85, formerly of Lawrence, MA and Groveton, NH was granted Eternal Rest  on Wednesday, June 16, 2021  at Salemhaven of Salem, NH, surrounded in love and prayer and hymns with her loving daughter and granddaughter by her side.  The passing of our matriarch and stronghold has left a huge hole in our hearts. 

She was born in Hartford Connecticut, the only child of Helen Boughton and Colvin McMullen.  She grew up and lived in Hartford until moving to the Merrimack Valley area. 

She was employed by Lucent Technologies, formerly named Western Electric and MaBell, where she began as an inspector and retired as a supervisor.  She was very proud of her work and loved bringing her children to see the crystals that were used for creating computer chips and boards.  Prior to her employment at Western Electric, she worked for ITT Semiconductors in Methuen. 

She is survived by her loving daughter, Veronica and her husband, Gary Harris, her daughter, Margaret and her husband, Rob Benedict, stepdaughter, Andrea and Joseph DeMaio.  She was the Queen Matriarch of a large family including her grandchildren:  Christopher Landers and his partner Rebecca Colby; David Landers; Scott Landers; Tracy Landers; Jennifer and her husband James Shugrue; Michelle and her husband Jon Strasburger; Julie and her husband Richard Garcia; Mark and his wife Meghan Fraser, Andrew Fraser, Kerry and her husband Jonathan Davies; Vanessa Oppenberg; Jarod Dwinells; Stephen Dwinells, and her former son-in-law, Mark Fraser.

She was the great grandmother of eighteen with the newest addition to be born in late summer.  She treasured each one and her eyes lit up and her smile was as big as the sky when they would visit, especially her youngest Bentley who would share her strawberries and grilled cheese sandwiches twice a week with her! She enjoyed Jack’s visits who knew where find her stash of candy and when Madison came to do her nails.  She left her room only to attend Christmas Concerts by the Atkinson Brownie Troop of which Rylee was a scout or when Alexis came to play the violin and sing, she was filled with tears of pride and bragged to all the residents and staff. 

She loved her trips to Foxwoods, scratch tickets, Keno, meat raffles, a cheap beer, and family gatherings where there were always some shenanigans to be had with her in the middle of it all!!

She was predeceased 62 years ago to the date by her husband, Andrew Joseph Dwinells; her children, Christine Mary Dwinells (1969) her daughter Cynthia Delia Bohne (2012), her daughter Lizabeth Ann Landers (2019) and her son, Matthew Henry Dwinells (2016), her son – in – law, Dana L. Landers (2017), and her grandson, Robert Michael Fraser (2019).  She was also predeceased by her stepdaughter Anita Mitchell (2014). 

She also leaves her one constant whom she considered and loved as her daughter, Jennifer Byrd.  Her family cannot thank Jenn enough for all she did to make sure that Helen was always so well - taken care of and loved, especially during this past year.

The family would like to thank all of Helen’s wonderful nurses and LNAs, (so many to mention) who  gave her a reason to feel loved and cherished and with whom she would banter, especially:  Carolyn Farhadian; Sarah Armstrong; Victoria Duszak; Lori Polcari; Donna Warren; Nicole Baker; Kelsey Glaude;  Tanya Holstein; Laurie Lemay; Blonde Donna; Chris Desesa; a special thanks to Social Worker, Allison Battis who worked tirelessly to ensure that Helen and her family had all her needs met even during the toughest of times.  Each of you worked tirelessly even when it was hard to make Helen’s stay comfortable, and she loved each one of you and considered you all as family.

Family and friends will be welcomed on Wednesday, June 23 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church on 26 Emmerson Ave. from 11:00 – 11:45 followed by the Funeral Mass of Christian Burial.  Guests are asked to wear something pink in honor of Helen. 

The Funeral Mass for Mrs. Dwinells will be live-streamed and can be viewed at   https://saintannechurchnh.org/livestream

Helen will be laid to rest with a graveside service in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, Connecticut on Monday, June 28th.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in Helen’s name to:  American Heart Association/American Stroke Association; 300 5th Ave. Suite 6; Waltham, MA 02451

Website:  http://www.stroke.org

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