Helen M. (Deboisbrian) Fornea

Helen Marie Fornea, 85, of Amesbury, MA, passed away on December 5, 2023, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of John D. Fornea, her husband of 36 years, who passed away in 1993.

Born on June 28, 1938, in Amesbury, MA, Helen was the only child of the late Joseph and Emma DeBoisbriand. She attended St. Joseph School in Amesbury and was a 1956 graduate of Amesbury High School. She worked at AT&T in North Andover as a manufacturing technician for 32 years before retiring in 1991.

Helen and her husband John were active members of Sacred Heart Church for many years and enjoyed frequent social occasions with their friends. Though she had no children of her own, she was deeply loved by her nine godchildren who she helped to raise during their early years and continued to care for as a loving mentor as they grew older.

Known to family and many friends as “Bunky” and later “Buggy”, she was loved for her wonderful sense of humor and capacity to tell a great story. She was a voracious reader and a loyal fan of her favorite soap operas. A widow for 30 years, Helen grew to be fiercely independent living in her Amesbury home for over 65 years.

A funeral service will take place at St. Joseph Church of St. Andre Bessette Parish in Amesbury, on Tuesday, December 12th, at 10 A.M. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home in Amesbury. Donations in Helen’s memory can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation (wish.org).