Helen Martelly

Helen (Mello) Martelly, age 96, of Swansea, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2023, peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Roland J. Martelly, Jr. Born in Fall River, daughter of the late Joseph and Maria Constance (Pacheco) Mello, she spent her youth in the city before moving to Swansea over 75 years ago.

Helen was a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Class of 1945, and while in high school, she worked at Firestone Manufacturing in Fall River, making gas masks for WWII. She was an administrative assistant at the former Union Hospital for many years and also volunteered as a CCD Teacher and Girl Scout leader. A skilled artist, she enjoyed painting (especially on china), woodcarving, and giving painting lessons in her home. Helen was a gourmet cook, known for her French cuisine, and her greatest pleasure was entertaining her family and friends. She was famous for her cheesecake.

She is survived by four sons, Peter D. Martelly, M.D. and his wife Claudette, Paul J. Martelly and his wife Lisa Poncelet-Martelly, Philip R. Martelly and his wife Gale, and John A. Martelly and his partner Patricia Petit, all of Swansea, and twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 8:00AM from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea, followed by her Funeral Mass at 9:00AM in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 530 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours will be held Friday from 4:00 to 7:00PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/. Entombment in Notre Dame Cemetery, Fall River.