Helen (Newman) Bockley

Helen (Newman) Bockley, of Medford, passed away at home on Thursday, December 1, 2022 surrounded by family.

Born on Washington Street in Medford on August 20, 1936, Helen was one of the nine children of the late James B. and Helen (Quinn) Newman.  Helen met her late husband Ted at a Christmas party, and they married in 1959.  They lived in Medford where they raised their family and created many wonderful memories over 62 years of marriage.

She was the devoted mother of Dennis Newman (Marie) of Reading, Dotty Newman-Burke (David) of Medford, Ted Bockley Jr. (Robin) of Lynn, Erich Bockley (Lisa) of North Reading, Laura Bockley-Kenney (Jimmy) of Medford and the late Louise Shapanka, and the mother-in-law of Andrew Shapanka (Alessandra) of North Carolina and Emily Bockley of Melrose.

As the family matriarch, Helen loved celebrating occasions of every kind with her large family. She especially looked forward to hosting her children and their families—including 16 cherished grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren who called her “Nana”—every Christmas Eve. Even with so many relatives and events to celebrate, she never missed an opportunity to cheer on her family at every school function, sporting event, or life milestone.

While her most important focus was her family, Helen was a woman of faith who was active in the Catholic Church. Helen also worked in the Guidance Office at Malden Catholic High School for more than thirty years. She loved to travel with Ted and various friends and relatives, including trips to Europe, cruises in the Caribbean, and spending time at her house on Cape Cod.

Helen’s kindness, generosity, and sense of humor enriched the lives of all who knew her, and she will be missed by all who were blessed to share in her love throughout her life.

Relatives & friends will gather in honor of Helen’s life for visiting hours at Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, Dec. 5 ^th from 4-8pm.  Friends will meet at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford on Tuesday, Dec. 6 ^th for her Funeral Mass celebrated at 10am.

Interment in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. In lieu of flowers memorials in Helen’s name may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, http://support.pancan.org/goto/HelenBockley .