Helen M. Madera

Helen María Suárez de Madera,74 years of age, of Lawrence, MA, originally from Guayama, Puerto Rico, passed away at home peacefully surrounded by her loving children and family on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Helen is survived by Luis Antonio Madera, her husband of 60 years and their children: Marcos Antonio Suárez, the Rev. Luis Madera both of NYC, Marisol Martinez and her husband Ancelmo Martinez of Lawrence, Claribel Monroy and her husband Byron Monroy of Methuen, and Luis Antonio Madera Jr. of Guayama, of Puerto Rico. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Samantha, Jamal, Naythan, Nykole, Elena, DaVii, Daelynn, Marcos Jr., Melanie, Betcenia, Janelle, Francheska, Fransheska, Joshua Joel, Mason, Michael, Juan David and Raúl; her great grandchildren: Cameron, Carter, Elaine, Tyanna, Elias, Alyanaliz, Naliya, Jeremias Nariyaliz and Devanni Anthony: her brother John and his wife Lidia, her brother Sespend, her sister Carmen Socorro and her husband Fernando all from Guayama, Puerto Rico as well as many nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Helen has always been an inspiring woman with a strong sense of work ethic and care for those in need. She graduated from the Puerto Rico Junior College with a Bachelor's Degree in social work. In 1986 she moved her family to Lawrence, Massachusetts where she continued to raise her family and seek better opportunity for them.
She loved to be involved in helping the youth achieve their best potential. Therefore, she worked for a time at the YMCA in Lawrence where she led a group of young girls in folkloric dance. Helen also volunteered on weekends cooking for the Hispanic Evangelization and Leadership Program. She was awarded an award for her commitment to help in the evangelization by the Jovenes Católicos and Acción of the Archdiocese of Boston. She received this award from the hands of the Rev. Roberto González Nieves, OFM Archbishop of San Juan de Puerto Rico.
In continuing with her social work outreach, Helen worked at different agencies in the City of Lawrence. Helen was an effective social worker and got things done. A Priest friend of the family exclaimed "I sent my parishioners who need immediate assistance to Helen. I trust that Helen will get things done right and effectively".
Helen was also a Parishioner at St. Mary-Immaculate Conception of Lawrence and an affiliate of the Augustinian Order. Helen moved to Guayama, Puerto Rico in 2007 to help care for her ailing father. However, Helen continued to work in Puerto Rico in different Capacities within the Municipal Government of the City of Guayama. Helen was a proud member of the Lions Club International and an esteemed member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post of Guayama.
Helen came from humble beginnings, pushing herself and her children to be successful. Her greatest achievement was raising her children and grandchildren. By being courageous, selfless and relentless, she taught her children and grandchildren to be positive and succeed with love and compassion. Her family will miss her unwavering support and love.
Relatives and friends are invited to Helen's Visitation on Monday, June 2, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, MA. Her Funeral Mass will be held the following morning, Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 10:00 am at St. Mary the Assumption Parish, 300 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA. Burial to follow at St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery.