Mrs. Helena B. Raras

September 23, 1942 - September 12, 2015

Helena B. Raras Loving wife, mother, grandmother Helena B. (Lyons) Raras of Lowell, MA died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 12, 2015. Helena was born in London, England on September 23, 1942, the youngest child of William and Ellen (Carroll) Lyons. Helena was educated in the West Hampstead school of London and at the age of nineteen left the UK for America. After a couple of years in the states she went to California where she met and married the love of her life, the late Vaios “Vic” Raras. Vaios and Helena made their home in Los Angeles for thirteen years until heading back to Vaios’ hometown of Lowell, MA in 1980. Once in Lowell, Helena worked as an administrative assistant for MMC, Inc., leaving in 1992 to work with Vic at their family owned business, Bellview Printing Company. Helena made a happy life in Lowell with her family and friends; she was an easy going, thoughtful, lighthearted person who always had a kind word for anyone she met. She was encouraging and supportive and always looked for the positive in life and in people. To her the glass was truly half full and if it was half filled with white zinfandel, well, that was even better. She was a social person and loved her time spent at Long Meadow Golf Club, where she thoroughly enjoyed the company of the very special people there. She loved to travel and took many a fun filled road trip to Florida with her driving buddy Anne Piandes, and was always game for a ride to Foxwoods. Her family was her number one priority and her children and grandchildren were blessed to have her as a regular fixture in their lives. Nothing was a bother for Helena, she loved to be a part of their lives and would help out in any way she could. She was not Mrs. Raras to Sophia and Bella’s friends – they all called her “Yiayia”. She is survived by her children, Charles V. Raras; Anastasia M. Marsden and her husband, Stephen of Lowell; two brothers in England, William Lyons and his wife Kay; Stephen Lyons and his wife Marion; one sister Marie Miele of San Diego; her brother and sister in-law, Anne and Nick Piandes; James and Carol Raras; Charles and Debbie Raras all of Lowell; and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her in-laws Charles and Alice Raras, and sister-in-law, Virginia Rabias. She leaves behind two granddaughters, Sophia Alexandra and Isabella Theresa who loved that their Yiayia was such a big part of their lives. They will miss the rides home from school and the good conversations they had. In addition, the family would like to thank everyone for the love and support from their family and friends. Along with that, the care and compassion that Helena received from the staff at Lowell General Hospital was a comfort to her, and the family wishes to extend their grateful appreciation. FUNERAL NOTICE RARAS—In Lowell, September 12, 2015, Helena B. (Lyons) Raras, the beloved wife of the late Vaios “Vic” Raras. Family and friends may call at the FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL on WEDNESDAY from 4 until 8 P.M. Helena’s Funeral will begin on THURSDAY MORNING at 9 o’clock from the Funeral Home, followed by her FUNERAL MASS at 10 o’clock at THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH (Lower Church), 144 East Merrimack St. Lowell. Her burial will follow in the Westlawn Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Helena’s memory may be made to the Long Meadow Golf Club Scholarship Fund, 165 Havilah Street, Lowell, MA 01852. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS, 978-459-9222. www.faymccabe.com