Mrs. Helen (Hebert) Szymczuk

Helen M. (Hebert) Szymczuk, longtime resident of North Smithfield passed away peacefully on the evening of December 12, 2022 after a brief illness. She was 92 years old. Beloved wife of the late Peter Szymczuk, with whom she shared many years of marriage before his passing in 2004.

Born and raised in Blackstone, she was the daughter of the late Edmond and Yvonne (Leclair) Hebert. Even in her final days, her memories of Blackstone brought her such joy as she recalled picking blueberries and making pies with her mother, who was an excellent cook: a talent she passed on to Helen to share with her family.

She was a hardworking and resilient woman, having raised her children and gone back to complete her GED in her 40’s. She went on to work for many years as a CNA/Med. Tech. at St. Antoine Residence in North Smithfield and retired when she was 62. She faced difficult times throughout her life and always did the very best she could given the circumstance: a characteristic of strength that she passed down to generations of women.

She could be a feisty, funny woman and she truly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, endlessly teasing them, swatting at their behinds and teaching them to cheat at card games. She loved looking at the fall foliage and the beautiful colors in the sky and especially enjoyed the sunrise views on the car rides home from her Foxwoods trips with “the boys,” her sons and sons in law.

She was the devoted mother of Linda Rogers and her husband Paul of Narragansett, Paul Szymczuk and his wife Denise of N. Smithfield, Helen Ducharme and her late husband Gary of N. Smithfield, Barbara Landi and her husband Ronald of N. Smithfield, Ann Allard of Woonsocket, Lisa Lopes and her late husband Steven of W. Greenwich, Peter Szymczuk of N. Smithfield, Edmond Szymczuk and his wife Traci of Coventry and Susan Harrop and her husband Richard of N. Smithfield and the late Mark Peters and his surviving partner Emilio Petrillo of Franklin, MA.

Cherished “Grandma Cookie” to 15 grandchildren: Christopher Cianci, Patrick Rogers, Jared Ducharme, Joshua Ducharme, Sara Collins, Bradley Landi, Alicia Chiccarelli, Jessica Allard, Kathryn Sabourin, Samantha Lopes, Chelsea Lopes, Meghan Szymczuk, Cassidy Szymczuk, Emma Harrop and Jordan Harrop. She also had special relationships with her 8 great grandchildren, Delaney and Dreydan Cianci; Raegan Rogers; Sophia Ducharme; Johnathan, Alice and Makayla Collins; Zoey Landi; and Landon Chiccarelli.

Loving sister of the late Edmond “Moe” Hebert and Jeanette Robinson. Caring aunt to Peter Hebert of SC and Edmond Hebert of CA.

Memorial Mass Friday, December 16 at 11 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, 63 Church Street, Slatersville, RI. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Overlook Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 14 Rock Avenue, Pascoag, RI 02859 in sincere appreciation for the excellent care they provided Helen and her family in her final days.

Thank you to the kind, thoughtful staff of Pontarelli Marino Funeral Home in Providence for assisting with Helen's arrangements.