Obituary of Helen Louise DeMilia

Helen Louise DeMilia, a woman whose world revolved around her family, passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, February 27, 2023.  She was 91 years old.  Helen was born in Cambridge.  She was the daughter of Canadian immigrants, Abraham and Elizabeth Chipman.  She grew up and was educated in Cambridge.  She met and fell in love with Albert Ralph DeMilia.  They married when she was 17 years old and shared a wonderful life together.  Albert was completely devoted to his beloved Helen.  He worked two or three jobs to give his family all the things he went without as a child.  In return, Helen made a wonderful and loving home for him and their four daughters.  Her home was meticulously maintained and filled with personal touches like her handmade curtains.  She also made her daughters clothing well into their high school years.  She loved to knit and crochet.  When her family had their quota of blankets, hats, mittens and scarves, she moved on to making and donating sweaters for dogs which she gave to whoever needed one and also donated to a local shelter.  Every Sunday was spent together, whether it was a big meal, or chicken salad sandwiches followed by an afternoon of playing canasta.  She was an incredible cook and baker and there was always some sweet aroma emanating from her kitchen.  She always hosted Christmas Eve with a house full of family.  She loved her Hallmark movies and there wasn’t a Christmas movie she had not seen. 

Helen was also a woman of strong faith which stems all the way back to her Uncle Bob who was an Episcopal priest in Newfoundland, Canada.  She was baptized at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cambridge and kept that faith for her entire life.  During her daily prayers she prayed for each family member individually.  If there was a big exam or a challenging time in their life, everyone knew that “Gram” had their back and was praying for them.  The last few years have been challenging for Helen, but her two local daughters supported and cared for her.  Helen will be lovingly remembered and never forgotten by all those she loved and cared for.

Helen was the beloved wife of the late Albert DeMilia.  She was the loving mother of Barbara Dembrowski & her husband Thomas of Burlington, June Napolitano of Tilton & her late husband Richard, Donna McManus of Wilmington & her partner Peter McGann, and Linda Buonomo of Myrtle Beach, SC & her late husband Philip.  She was the sister of the late Edward “Ted” Chipman and late Florence Seely.  She was the proud grandmother of Rick Napolitano, Nadine LaCasse, Anthony Buonomo, Thomas Dembrowski, Danielle Dembrowski, Melissa Nelson, Michael McManus, Katie McManus, and Stephen Beyers. She was the great grandmother of Averie Dembrowski, TJ Dembrowski, Jenna LaCasse, Jesse LaCasse, Elijah Nelson, Isaac Nelson, and Ezra Nelson. 

Funeral services will be private.  Memorials in Helen’s name may be made to Cape Ann Animal Aid, www.capeannanimalaid.org, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930.  For online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.  Arrangements by the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, Burlington