Helen T. (Nievera) Savard, of St. Petersburg, FL, passed away peacefully at home on December 24, 2022. Helen was born on November 26, 1921, to Stanislaw and Helen Nievera in Cumberland, RI, and she was proud to be 101 years old.
Helen was the devoted wife of the late Andrew G. Savard, her favorite square dancing partner and card-playing opponent, to whom she was married for over fifty-three years. She spent her life loving and caring for their three children. Helen was the mother of the late Andrea M. Beaucage (Dennis) of North Providence, RI, Patricia A. Morrison (Richard) of St. Petersburg, FL, and David A. Savard (Brenda) of Moosup, CT. She spent much of her time loving her two granddaughters, Deanna Parrillo (Andrew) and Amanda Kugler (Darren), showing them the stars for the very first time, sharing her love of soap operas, and forcing them to walk into walls, if necessary, to teach them about empathy. Helen adored her four great-grandchildren, Mason, Eli, Max, and Paige. She is also predeceased by many beloved brothers and sisters. Her spunky sense of humor and generosity will be missed by all of her loved ones and dear friends.
Anyone who knew Helen knew how very talented she was. She was an artist in every sense of the word. Crocheting came naturally to her, and she shared her creations (doilies, tablecloths, holiday-themed pins, Christmas ornaments, and precious baby outfits) with so many loved ones and their loved ones. Her painting and drawing abilities surpassed understanding, especially considering how late in life she began this pursuit. Portraits, landscapes, and still lifes abounded in her art studio, and she was recognized for her work at numerous community art shows. Her paintings adorn the walls of the homes and offices of so many of her family members and friends.
She spent her life in service to others, first her family and later those less fortunate. She was famous for her cooking, nourishing her family with Sunday dinners of pot roast, golumpkis (stuffed cabbages), and apple pie, followed by a game of SCAT. Later in life, she volunteered her time and talents to her church community and others in need. Along with her daughter Pat, she led an initiative at Holy Cross Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, FL, to crochet sleeping mats for the homeless out of recycled plastic shopping bags. Helen shared her time and talents with others, selflessly and continuously.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7851 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL, on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 11:00 am. A celebration of life and burial will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 1081 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, it is the wish of the family that donations be made to the American Heart Association in Helen's name: https://www.heart.org/donate .