Helen R. Rapoza

Helen Rapoza ObituaryVisit the Chapman Funerals & Cremations - West Falmouth website to view the full obituary.Helen Rose Rapoza, nee Sullivan (aka "Sully"), Falmouth native and lifelong resident, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family after a valiant battle with lung cancer on March 4, 2026. She was 85.Helen graduated from Lawrence High School in 1958 and received her Registered Nursing degree from Saint Elizabeth's School of Nursing in 1961. In 1962, she married Arthur Rapoza of Falmouth. With the birth of her rst child a year later, she began her life's work of complete devotion to parenting and grandparenting, with her medical knowledge at the ready. She was a bright spark wherever she went and feisty till the end. "I love your mother" is the phrase her kids hear the most.Helen loved grandparenting her ten grandkids, hosting Fourth of July parties and marches to Menauhant Beach for reworks, transporting them (with her treat bin in the trunk) to and from after school activities, buying their favorite cupcakes, attending her grandkids' concerts and sports events, reading to them, and cooking their favorite beef tips. She remarked that grandparenting was the best, having all of the love and none of the stress of parenting. She loved hearing all the details of their lives and especially cherished her visits with her grandkids in her last couple months.Helen is survived by her three children, daughter Suzanne Rapoza and husband John Larsen of Falmouth, son Joe Rapoza and wife Dalila Gomes of Northampton, and son Paul Rapoza and wife Jaime of Falmouth, grandkids Alex, Bode and Rachel Larsen, Ben, Nico and Lucas Gomes-Rapoza, and Lily, Colin, Chloe and Bella Rapoza. She is also survived by her sister Phyllis Neal of Naperville, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years Arthur H. Rapoza, parents John T. and Florence (Madden) Sullivan of Barnstable, and siblings Diane Sherman Dodd, and John, David and Mary Sullivan.Visitation will be held at Chapman Funeral Home, 584 West Falmouth Highway, West Falmouth this Monday, March 16, at 11 am with a Memorial Service there at noon. A private burial at the National Cemetery will be on a later date.Helen's family would like to thank all those friends who gave Helen rides to her many medical appointments (Carole, Cheryl and Polly), sta at JML in Falmouth who lovingly cared for Helen this winter, and for the comfort of her "dream team" of physicians, Drs. Aviles, El-Masri and Nida Shutari.Read The Full ObituaryTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.