Obituary of Helen Gillespie Plaia

Helen Gillespie Plaia of Weston, CT and formerly of Rye, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on November 25, 2022 from lung cancer. Helen was born on January 15, 1942 in New Rochelle, NY. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Helen is survived by her children, Dean, Greg (Marianne) and Jennifer Carberry and her grandsons, James Plaia, Michael and Ryan Carberry, and was predeceased by her daughter, Lee Ann, and her grandson, Timmy. She is survived by her sister Jane Steinthal (Jack) and sister-in-law, Meli Martin (Mike) and predeceased by her five siblings, George J. Gillespie, III, Peter Gillespie, Mary Sandzen, Dorothy Duffy and Barbara Childs. Helen was an aunt to 23 nieces and nephews and a mother-in-spirit to many more. 

Helen was an active member and volunteer at her parish, St. Francis of Assisi, where she met and cultivated many meaningful friendships during her later years in Weston. Helen will be remembered for her love and devotion to family, her selflessness, her sharp wit and sense of humor and her strength and resilience. She was a great friend to many and will be profoundly missed by those who loved her. 

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, NY on December 2, 2022 at 11am. A private interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery will take place the following day. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made in Helen’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.