Helena Lobo Barros

In Loving Memory of Helena L. Barros

Helena L. Barros, affectionately known to family and friends as “Helesma” passed away on September 27, 2026, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, at the age of 97.

Born on October 30, 1928, in Mosteiros, Fogo, Cabo Verde, Helena was the daughter of the late Maria Pina Mendes and Nicolau Lobo Barros , who preceded her in death. She was raised in Mosteiros, surrounded by the culture, traditions, and values of Cabo Verde that remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.

In 1984, Helesma purchased her family home on Josephine Street in Dorchester. Over the years, it became much more than a house. It was a home where children were raised, grandchildren were cared for, relatives were welcomed, and generations of her family grew together. Her door was always open, and when someone she loved needed her, she found a way to be there.

Helesma worked long hours at John Hancock while raising and providing for her family. She was no stranger to sacrifice. She was willing to go without so that her children could have more, helped raise her grandchildren, welcomed relatives into her home, and devoted much of her life to creating opportunities for the generations that came after her.

She was tough and strong, yet equally nurturing, generous, friendly, and deeply loving. She was fiercely protective of her family and was also known for being protective and caring toward those in her neighborhood. To her family, she was an anchor—a steady presence whose strength, wisdom, and love they could always count on.

Her work ethic became one of her greatest legacies. Today, throughout her family and across many different professions and walks of life, the example Helesma set continues. She taught her family through the way she lived: work hard, persevere, take care of the people you love, and never forget the importance of family.

Helesma leaves to mourn her beloved children: Augusto Rodrigues (the late Jovita Rodrigues), João Rodrigues (the late Maria Nela Rodrigues), Antonio Rodrigues (Ana Teixeira), Rosilda Barros (Manuel Correia), Maria Rosa Lopes (João Lopes), and Roselena Hogan (Joe Hogan) . Her family continued to grow, blessing her with 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren . To her grandchildren and the generations that followed, she was affectionately known as Vovó .

Few things brought Helesma greater joy or pride than the family she built and watched grow across generations. She helped raise her grandchildren and remained a source of love, guidance, protection, and strength throughout their lives. The home and family she created became the foundation on which generations built their own lives.

A woman of strong Catholic faith, Helesma was a devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she attended weekly. Her faith remained an important part of her life. It also brought her some of her greatest adventures, as she loved traveling the world with her church group.

She also loved vacationing with her family and especially cherished trips to Florida with her grandchildren. Whether traveling far from home or simply surrounded by the generations of family she loved, some of her happiest moments were those spent with the people who meant the most to her.

For those who loved her, Helesma’s greatest accomplishments cannot be measured simply by where she worked, where she traveled, or even by the remarkable 97 years she lived. Her greatest legacy lives on in the generations she leaves behind.

Her sacrifices became their opportunities. Her strength became their foundation. Her work ethic became their work ethic. And her love became the bond that continues to hold her family together.

Her daughters share these words in her memory:

“Mom, thank you for being our first friend, our best friend, our anchor, and our forever guide.

The things we feel most deeply are the hardest things to say. If we could have one lifetime wish,

we would pray to God with all our hearts for yesterday with you. There are so many things we

didn’t get to say, Mom. You taught us everything except how to live without you.

I know you are no longer suffering, but the selfish part of us still can’t accept that you’re gone.

Your love will live on in our hearts and guide our family through life. Deep in our hearts, your life

will be remembered with love and cherished, never forgotten.

Your legacy will live on in every good thing we do.

Rest peacefully until we meet again. We love you forever.

Your daughters.

”

Helesma leaves behind a family spanning five generations and a legacy built through nearly a century of love, faith, sacrifice, resilience, and devotion to family. The home she created, the opportunities she made possible, the lessons she taught, and the values she instilled will continue through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and generations yet to come.She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

Following the burial, family and friends are invited to gather for a repast at Restaurante Cesaria, 266 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

May Helena “Helesma” Barros rest peacefully, knowing that the family she sacrificed so much for will carry her love, strength, and legacy with them for generations to come.