Winooski

Helen "Tess" Gouvin, 81, died peacefully on Thursday, March 14th, 2024 at Our Lady of Providence assisted living facility with her family at her side. Tess was born on January 24th, 1943 in Rutland, Vt., the daughter of Frederick T "Grasshopper" Chioffi and Gertrude Willard Chioffi. She graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Rutland High School, and the College of Saint Joseph the Provider.

Helen was predeceased by her parents and her brother Frederick "Doug" Chioffi. She leaves behind a brother, Gregory Chioffi and wife Kim, a nephew Nicholas Chioffi and a nephew Benjamin Chioffi and wife Joanna, (Benjamin was like a son to her and her faithful visitor) and two grand nephews, Calvin Chioffi and Jacob Chioffi. She also leaves behind her ex-husband and friend, John Gouvin.

Tess taught elementary school in Rutland until she and her parents moved to Burlington. Helen worked at Casual Corner in the University Mall and subsequently opened her own boutique store "Tess" on Church Street. In her later years she took up Reiki Therapy and became a Reiki Master.

The family would like to thank the Sisters of Mercy who were especially kind to Helen while she was at Our Lady of Providence and treated her as one of their own, helping her through the difficult road of managing her illness and adjusting to her new home. Monsignor Michael DeForge is also thanked for giving Tess the sacraments and being a good friend and guiding light for her spiritual peace.

We thank the staff and Nurses of Our Lady of Providence for their compassionate care, without which she could not have survived. Also to be thanked is the team from BAYADA hospice who helped her during her final time.

In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to Our Lady of Providence, Activities department, 47 West Spring Street, Winooski, VT. 05404.

There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church, St. Peter St., Winooski, Vt. on April 16th at 1:30pm. A celebration of life will follow at Our Lady of Providence, 47 West Spring St., Winooski, VT.