Helen Louise Orlando

Helen Louise (Willis) Orlando, 74, of Hampson Street, South Attleboro, died unexpectedly upon arrival at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro on Sunday, November 2, 2014 after being stricken ill at her residence. She was the wife of Peter J. Orlando to whom she was married on November 11, 1991. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on August 8, 1940, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Bertha (Thibodeau) Willis. Raised and educated in Pawtucket, Mrs. Orlando was a 1957 graduate of the former Tolman High School. Mrs. Orlando resided in the City of Attleboro for most of her life. She was an accomplished seamstress in both her professional and personal life having owned and operated The Sewing Room in South Attleboro with her husband for 8 years and previously as a seamstress at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro for 15 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her family for all of the seamstress work she graciously and meticulously created for family weddings and special events. She was a communicant of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church in South Attleboro. In addition to her love for sewing, Mrs. Orlando enjoyed volunteering for the City of Attleboro elections working at the polls for many years, helping her neighbors, gardening, and occasional trips to Foxwoods Resort Casino. However, her greatest enjoyment was time spent creating lifelong memories to cherish with her family. She loved doting on her adored grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to her husband of almost 23 years, she leaves two daughters: Brenda Louise (Lebeau) Silva and her husband, Alan G. Silva, of Winter Garden, Florida and Laura J. (LeBeau) McNally and her husband, Shawn P. McNally, of South Attleboro; a stepdaughter: Christine M. Orlando of Dighton; eight grandchildren: Joshua Silva, Jessica Coirier, Jaime Hernandez, Jillian Silva, Haley Silva, Austin Silva, Brendan McNally and Erin McNally; five great grandchildren: Kaitlyn Silva, Ethan Silva, Charlotte Coirier, Lucas Coirier and Emma Hernandez; a sister: Bertha Fournier of North Smithfield, Rhode Island and several nieces, nephews, extended family members and cherished friends. She was the sister of the late William Willis, Joseph Willis and Henry Willis. She was anxiously awaiting the arrival of two additional grandchildren in the Spring of 2015. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Friday, November 7, 2014 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. For those in need of a local ride to visitation simply call the funeral home directly at 508-695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation. Children's room is available during the visitation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, South Attleboro with the Rev. Jon-Paul Gallant, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. John Cemetery, West Street, Attleboro. There will be no funeral cortege from the funeral home prior to the commencement of the Funeral Mass. Memorial donations may be made in Helen's memory to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280 Washington, DC 20077. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200