Helen Louise (Lake) DeCosta, 96, of Mattapoisett passed away on July 19 at Alden Court in Fairhaven after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her family.

Helen was born in New Bedford on Nov. 6, 1917. She was the daughter of the late George Lester Lake and Sarah Louise (McKenzie) Lake. As a child she was a summer resident of Brandt Island in Mattapoisett. She married her late husband, Edward W. DeCosta, Sr., in 1938 and together they raised their seven children in their home on Pearl Street in Mattapoisett where she resided for 70 years.

She is survived by her children: Edward W. Jr. and his wife, Denise of Fairhaven; Anna Anderson and her husband Stephen of Carnelian Bay, California; James of North Richland Hills, Texas; Thomas and his wife Patricia of Marion; Deborah Fahey and her husband Roger of Fairhaven; and Margaret Alves and her companion Thomas O'Neil of Mattapoisett and New Bedford; her daughter-in-law, Christie DeCosta of Mattapoisett; 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; her sister, Mary Mendell of Indiana; and her sister-in-law Lorraine Lake of Mattapoisett.

She was the mother of the late George DeCosta, and sister of the late Annabelle Scott, George Lake, Calvin Lake and Donald Lake.

Helen enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved cooking and hosting family parties, playing board games with her grandchildren, gardening, playing bingo, doing word puzzles and watching the Patriots and Red Sox.

Her strong will and independent spirit will continue to be an inspiration to all who loved her and she will be greatly missed and fondly remembered!

Visiting hours will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22 at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mercy Meals and More, P. O. Box 40515, New Bedford, MA 02744