Helen Elizabeth (Rashed) Faris, born in Fall River in 1917, died peacefully at the age of 95 on November the 8th. She had lived independently on McCloskey St. until the age of 93, and had been lovingly cared for at the Catholic Memorial Home in Fall River for the past two years. Her husband Albert passed away in 1998; Helen was a devoted wife who was faithfully at Al's side through the twenty long years in a nursing home that preceded his death. She is survived by four loving children, seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, as well as numerous cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. Helen's oldest daughter is Gail Rashed Faris of W. Kingston, RI; Gail's children and their families are: Rachel and Henry Craven and their sons, Sam and Harry; Sarah and Mick Rodgers and their son Presley and daughter Aleah Helen (named for Sitt-Sitt), and Damien Faris Lepkowski and his partner Clarissa Hempel, parents to Namirah. Helen's second daughter is Cheryl Faris of Los Angeles, married to Patrick King and mother of Shane Faris King and Catherine Faris King. Third is daughter Ruth Rashed Faris of Somerville MA, married to Donald Meglio and mother of Max Faris Meglio and Leila Rashed Meglio. Last but not least is Helen's beloved son Albert Faris, Jr. of Swansea and his partner Jackie Gaw. Helen was to born to Aad and Marie (Asfar) Rashed, who came to this country from Lebanon in the early 1900's. Helen was the last surviving child of seven in her family, and we are all comforted to think of her and her wonderful sisters and brothers finally reunited in heaven. Helen left school at the age of 13 to work to help support her family through the Great Depression in the sewing factories of Fall River, and over the years became well-known throughout the city as a floor lady at several of them. Helen was a talented seamstress who earned her GED so that she could teach sewing at Diman, and later worked as a tour guide at Collette Travels. Helen's greatest loves were her family, her church, and her Lebanse community. She took great pride in her children, who she called her 'jewels,' as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a lifelong member of Saint Anthony of the Desert (Maronite) Parish and had a long history of selfless service to the church, serving as the second president of the church's Blessed Mother Guild. One of her greatest honors in life was to be awarded the Marian Medal for her dedication to the church in 1973. She was also a volunteer for many years at St. Anne's Church. Helen was an active and proud member of the lively Lebanese community in Fall River: a gifted cook, a gracious hostess, and a keen card player. Her family mourns her loss but wishes to celebrate her long and productive life and share their many happy memories with all of you. Helen's funeral was celebrated on November 13th at St. Anthony of the Desert Church. In her memory donations can be made to St. Anthony of the Desert Church, 300 North Eastern Avenue, Fall River, MA 02723, or to Catholic Memorial Home, 2446 Highland Avenue, Fall River, MA 02720.