Helena A. (Zwearcan) Briere, age 78, died Wednesday, Aug. 20 at Saints Medical Center in Lowell after a long illness. For 54 years, she was the beloved wife of Gerard G. Briere.
She was born in Newmarket, NH, on June 4, 1930, the daughter of the late John and Blanche (Hamel) Zwearcan. Helena was a longtime resident of Tyngsboro and a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in N. Chelmsford.
Prior to her retirement, she was employed as a key punch operator with the I.R. S. for four years and previously with Wang Labs for several years.
Helena was an excellent seamstress who always enjoyed sewing for her family. She also enjoyed traveling around the country, but her home and family were the things that were most important to her.
Besides her loving husband, Gerard, she is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Donna Briere of Milan, NH, and Jerry and Carol Briere of Lowell; a sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Robert Blazon of Dracut; eight grandchildren, Gerry, Kathleen, Christopher, Scott and Joseph Briere, Chris, Stephen and Jason Smith; also eight great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late William and Lawrence Zwearcan.
Relatives and friends may call at the M. R. LAURIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 295 Pawtucket St., Lowell on Sunday, Aug. 24 from 3 to 7pm. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday morning at 9 o'clock at St. John the Evangelist Church, N. Chelmsford. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery.