Helen Aguiar

Helen (Arruda) Aguiar, 95, of Riverside, RI, died Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Hattie Ide Chaffee Home, in Riverside, surrounded by her family. 

    She was the widow of the late Jesse J. Aguiar, Sr., to whom she was married to for over 58 years. 

    Born in Fall River, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Arruda and Marianna B. (Souza) Arruda.

    Helen was a devoted matriarch to her family.  She found her greatest joy in taking care of her children and beloved grandchildren. Helen had a special knack for making holidays, especially Christmas, unforgettable for her grandchildren, who eagerly awaited her gifts. A woman of sharp intellect, her mind never dulled, even in her later years. 

    She is survived by two daughters, Mary A. Brayton, of Riverside, RI and Susan Aguiar, of North Quincy, MA; four sons, Jesse J. Aguiar, Jr., of Florida; James J. Aguiar of Texas, Paul J. Aguiar and John M. Aguiar, both of Riverside, RI; her sister Josephine Conroy, of Portsmouth, RI; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Rose Aguiar, Dolores Moreira, and Manuel, Joseph, Louis, John, Antone and Mary Arruda.

    Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4 - 6 p.m. Her funeral will be held Monday, February 26, at 9 a.m. from the Oliveira Funeral Home - South Main St. Chapel, 2064 South Main St., Fall River, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Espirito Santo Church, Alden St., Fall River. Interment will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery.