Helena G. Rees

REES, Helena G. Of the Savin Hill neighborhood in Dorchester, February 29th, after a tenacious, incredible and courageous battle with lung cancer, which she fought with dignity and grace. Born on June 27, 1957 and raised in Trenton and Lawrenceville, New Jersey, she attended the New England School of Photography, Boston College and graduated from Harvard University. For many years, Helena was a lobbyist on women's and children's issues, as well as a fundraiser for political candidates. In the early 1980's, she worked as a legislative agent for the Massachusetts National Organization for Women, pioneering legislation concerning violence against women and children. In the 1990's, she was the Director of Government and Community Affairs, where she created many public service programs for Cambridge residents. Also in the 1990's, she was Assistant Director of Campaign Finance for the late Congressman Joseph Moakley. Prior to her death, she was a fundraiser for Attorney General Martha Coakley, then a candidate for the Office of Attorney General, where she successfully assisted in helping to raise over $700.000. Helena was an avid tennis fan and player, and was a member of the Boston Athletic Club (BAC) in South Boston, where she battled with the ball machine. "The ball machine never misses a ball, and never talks back!" she was fond of saying. This past June, she fulfilled her dream of attending Wimbledon, where she watched all the top tennis players play on lush green grass. "Wimbledon is magical; it is mystical. It almost speaks to you." said Helena. Helena is survived by her beloved parents, Albert H. Rees Jr. and Maybelle G. (Graziano) Rees of Lawrenceville, NJ, her loving twin sister, Maria Meseroll of Falls Township, PA, and her brother-in-law, Thomas Meseroll of Langhorne, PA. She was "Auntie Helena" to her nieces and nephew, whom she loved and adored, Mark Lisa, and Kristen Meseroll, all of Langhorne, PA. She is also survived by her loving and supportive cousins, Pat Mills and Pam Jerold, both of Miami, FL, her aunt, Nancy Rees of Stonington, CT, her cousins Liberty Rees and Nancy Wall of NYC, Camilla Rees of Boulder, CO, and Hilleary Coleman of Bedford, NY, Jane Mason of Palm Beach, FL, Gail Foster of Hamilton, NJ, and Glenda Matera of Ewing, NJ. Survived by her aunt Bunny Rees of New Hope, PA, and cousin Jennifer Pederson of Lambertville, NJ. Helena was predeceased by her sweet and sassy Basset Hound, "Hershey", as well as "Nanny" and "auntie Helena" to "Beaver", also a Basset, whom she cared for in Beaver's latter years. She is looking forward to seeing them in "Hound Heaven". Helena thanks her special friends, whom she was fortunate to have in her life. Margaret Schumann, Cathy Loomis, Tony Cappoli, Catherine O'Neill, Lisa Coffey, David Jennings, Lori Dolliver, Jean Frisoli, Susan Beecher, and Ken Osherow, proprietor of At Home Real Estate in Savin Hill, and their staff for their kindness and compassion. Helena thanks the wonderful staff at the Dana Farber, who provided the best care in the world. She especially thanks Dr. Paul Marcoux, Kitty Hooper, Pam Calerese, Linda Morse, Patricia Sheehan, Carol Wilson, Rick Berry, "Ivannia Boo-Boo", and Andrea Nei. Indeed they are unsung heroes. Visiting hours in the Murphy Funeral Home, 1020 Dorchester Ave., DORCHESTER, Tuesday 4-7 P.M. Interment in Ewing Cemetery, Trenton, NJ. Helena requests there be no flowers. Active in her MA chapter, The Lung Cancer Alliance, in lieu of flowers, donations in Helena's memory may be made to The Lung Care Alliance, 888 16th Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 2006 (800-298-2436).