Helen J (Tucker) Usenia

Helen Jean (Tucker) Usenia, 97, of Barrington, Rhode Island died peacefully at home on Friday, April 19, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 7, 1927. She was raised in Riverside, Rhode Island by the late Robert and Mary (Dart) Tucker alongside her seven siblings – Betty, Elsie, Laura, Maggie, Robert, Lennie, and Lucille.

Upon graduating from East Providence High School in 1945, Helen worked in downtown Providence for 15 years as an office worker, until she started a family. She was an accomplished knitter.  She later  worked as a teacher’s aide at Alice M. Waddington Elementary School in Riverside.

Helen was the beloved wife of the late Michael Usenia, whom she married less than a year after meeting him at a church supper party. In addition to her husband, parents, and siblings, Helen was preceded in death by her infant son Robert Michael Usenia and her daughter Sandra Beth (Usenia) Kearney. She is survived by her loving daughters, Cyndie and her husband Chris Lucock and Susan and her husband Dan Koelliker, son-in-law Tommy Kearney, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Helen’s greatest joy in life was her family. For nearly 25 years, Helen lived with her daughter Susan, son-in-law Dan, and two granddaughters, Katia and Lara, whom she helped raise. She deeply cherished and took great pride in her nine grandchildren – Jocelyn (Kearney) Falardeau, Courtney (Kearney) Fiore, Michael Kearney, Kate (Lucock) Reynolds, Ben Lucock, Amanda (Lucock) Gershun, Grace Lucock, Katia Koelliker, and Lara Koelliker – and her four great-grandchildren – Justin Fiore, Alayna Fiore, Shaelyn Kearney, and Bricenn Kearney.

Helen enjoyed spending time with her family and her dog, Lily, watching the hummingbirds gather at the feeder outside of her window, and visiting the beaches of Rhode Island.

Helen’s family extends their gratitude to her outstanding caregivers, Connie Mason and Sarah Fay, who have faithfully and lovingly helped in caring for her in recent years.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 10:30 AM at Haven United Methodist Church on 200 Taunton Avenue, East Providence, RI, 02914. A committal service will immediately follow at Springvale Cemetery, Rumford, RI. In place of visitation hours, all are welcome to join Helen’s family for a lunch in celebration of her life at the home of her daughter Susan at 1:00 PM. Please omit flowers. Please visit www.smithmason.com for online condolences.