Helen Mary McFarland Polito

PORTLAND – Helen Mary McFarland Polito of Portland, passed away on August 8, 2022, at Northern Light Mercy Hospital surrounded by her family.

Helen Mary, affectionately known to many as “Honey”, was born on May 26, 1929, to Francis and Helen McGahey McFarland in Portland. She was a graduate of Saint Joseph’s Academy and Saint Joseph’s College where she was active in many clubs and made lifelong friends.

In 1951 she married Angelo “Luigi” Polito and together raised their Irish Italian family of six children in their home on Montrose Avenue where she resided for over 60 years. Many enduring friendships were formed within the close Rosemont neighborhood, and one would often find her visiting with neighbors of all ages on her large front porch.

Widowed at the age of 54, Helen Mary, who had worked alongside her husband in the production of Luigi’s Pizza and Spaghetti Sauces; managed Luigi Food Products, founded by her husband and father-in-law, through its final years as a local operation.

She then devoted herself to the care of her eight grandchildren, giving her grateful daughters’ the gift of the very best of childcare. Honey’s grandchildren benefitted from her abundant love, guidance, and delighted in numerous “Honey” indulgences and they remain her biggest fan club.

In 2018 she moved to Deering Pavilion where she renewed many old acquaintances. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph’s Parish, where she taught CCD for several years. Most recently she attended the Pavilion’s weekly masses and rosary recitations and often visited the chapel to offer prayers for her family and many others.

Honey enjoyed a good mystery, Irish history, word search puzzles and rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy.

Helen Mary was predeceased by her parents; her beloved husband, Angelo; and their infant daughter, Laureen Elizabeth; her brothers Edward “Packy” McFarland, Rev. Francis McFarland CSJ, and sister, Margaret Wallace.

She is survived by her daughters of Portland, Joan and her husband, Roger Gildart, Cynthia and her husband, Philip Rotolo, Susan Polito, Mary Polito and her husband, James Pizzo, Judi Grassi, and her son, of Portland and Sarasota, Fla., Anthony Polito. She is also survived by her grandchildren Andrew and his wife, Caity Gildart, Daniel and his wife, Christie Gildart, Stephanie her husband, Brian Fudge, Joseph and his wife, Emily Gildart, Julie and her husband, Keith Clark, Philip Rotolo, Anthony Grassi and Michael Grassi; and her four great-grandchildren, Jeffrey, Emily, Nicholas and Abby Gildart, along with the joyfully anticipated births of two great-grandchildren this fall. Honey leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins and longtime friends.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Northern Light Mercy Hospital for their care and support and the staff and residents of Deering Pavilion for their kindness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday August 12 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Stevens Avenue, Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Those wishing to send a tribute in Helen Mary’s memory may visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the

Maine Chapter of the March of Dimes

60 Gray Rd #8,

Falmouth, ME 04105

(www.marchofdimes.com/maine) or

Holy Cross Family Ministries

518 Washington St.

North Easton, MA 02356