Helen C. (Costello-Taylor) Chapulis, 89, passed peacefully on Sunday, January 10, 2021 with her family at her side. She was born December 24, 1931, a Christmas Eve baby, in Boston, MA to Helen and Joseph Taylor. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Peter W. Chapulis, in 2005. They were married on July 27, 1957 and spent 48 wonderful years together. Helen was predeceased by her brother John Taylor, who gave his life in the Korean War following his time as a P.O.W. She was also predeceased by her cousins John O'Shea (wife Ann) and Michael A. O'Shea and her long-time friends Mary Coulouris and Sandra Gravlin. Helen leaves behind her son, Timothy J. Chapulis, of Litchfield, CT. She also leaves behind her cousin, Maureen Richardson (husband Stephen; children Heather and Kerry; grandchildren Isabella, Chloe and Sophie) and cousin's wife Eileen O'Shea (children Michael S. and Kellie; grandchildren Megan, Michael R., Mackenzie and Matthew), all who affectionately called her “Lalla”. In addition, Helen leaves behind her goddaughter Lori Ciarmella; her best friend Paula Ciarmella; Jim Ciarmella (wife Tara, children Grace and Halle); her best friend Sandra Kucharski of Terryville, CT; dear friend Mary Hicks of Melrose, MA; Chapulis nieces and nephews including John (wife Christina, children Matthew and Scott), Jan and Bill; long-time family friends including Babs Trincellito, Gina Pellegri, Elizabeth Stark, Pam Murphy, Karen Prince, Robert Trincellito, Richard Gravlin, Melissa Gravlin and Tammy Kornbrust (husband Eric); special Cape Cod friends Tom and Dorota Bretta. She leaves behind many more family members and dear friends.=Being born on Christmas Eve, Helen loved everything to do with Christmas; especially her extensive ornament collection and tree. She cherished her Christmas tree, took pride in it’s wonder and made an annual event of setting it up and spending hours decorating it. She also enjoyed collecting porcelain dolls, teddy bears, Victorian-era antiques, brides' baskets, paintings of Victorian ladies, various items in which she found beauty and objects she could share with children as they were growing up. She always found joy from the children in her life and loved sharing trinkets and treats with them all. Helen especially enjoyed her Chanel No. 5 perfume anddressing up to go out and enjoy a meal with family and friends. She was active in the Terryville community, one which she and her husband Peter made their home for over 40 years. She wouldgo door to door each year collecting donations for the Plymouth Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Helen also worked during election times and spent the entire day tending to electoral duties at theEast Main Street School. She was instrumental in the fundraising auctions organized and held for the youth ministry group of the Immaculate Conception Church (Terryville), a parish of which she was a longtime member. She and Tim spent many a Halloween, in the center of Litchfield, giving away giant candy bars to all the children celebrating the holiday. They would stand in front of The Village Restaurant so that Helen could enjoy all of the children’s excitement, costumes and visits. As a thank you for the treats, many would respond with a dance, joke or skit; of which Helen enjoyed every single one with smiles and laughter. She was both the Vice President and Secretary of the family-run business, Tim’s Inc. Auctions. She would be at every auction, from beginning to end, and well after that. She would greet everyone with a warm welcome and tend to people's needs for signing in, checking out and answering
inquiries with her wealth of antique and auction knowledge. She knew attendees' names, including their family members and especially their children. She had a smile for all and wasn't shy about welcoming patrons with her donation jar for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in memory of Peter W. Chapulis. In exchange for adding to it, a smiley face sticker was always granted. (Tim, and the business, will continue the tradition and now collect donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in memory of both Peter W. and Helen C. Chapulis.) Helen loved nature, flowers, the beach and bird watching. She enjoyed all of the animals and wildlife that would come to visit their yard in Litchfield ~ including turkeys, bears, bobcats and deer. She loved going to the casino, especially when she could take her chances at the Wheel of Fortune game. Helen enjoyed special celebrations at the Red Lion Inn and time on Cape Cod during the summer months. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her personal physician, Dr. Margaret Rush, from Bristol, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12 PM, Saturday May 1, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Church Terryville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in memory of Helen C. Chapulis, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).
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