Veneda C. Atchue

Veneda C. (Helfrich) Atchue, 94 years old, formerly of West Boylston, Massachusetts, was welcomed into Heaven on September 19, 2015. She was being cared for at Bay Breeze Health & Rehabilitation Center in Venice, Florida.

Mrs. Atchue was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 30, 1921. While in St. Louis, Mrs. Atchue met her husband, Lt. Col. Francis E. Atchue. Together, they moved to Massachusetts to marry and raise a family in the small town of West Boylston where her husband was born and raised. Before retiring to Florida, Mrs. Atchue worked along side her husband at their family business, Atchue Brothers Appliances Company. As a resident of West Boylston, Mrs. Atchue was a longtime member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxillary Post 204, and was involved for many years with the Girl Scouts of America.

Mrs. Atchue had a loving and free spirit, which she often demonstrated with her sparkling smile, contagious laugh, and a warm hug for everyone. She loved entertaining and made sure all her house guests felt special and most welcomed. She would never hesitate to offer her help to the less fortunate. She was humble and appreciated the small joys in life. She will be dearly missed by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George Helfrich and Elizabeth (Scherring) Helfrich; her brother, Frederick Helfrich; her husband of 50 years, Lt. Col. Francis Atchue; and her daughter, Kathleen J. (Atchue) Alizzeo.

She leaves a daughter, Sharon L. (Atchue) Recupero and her husband, Stephen, of West Boylston, MA and Venice, FL as well as a her son-in-law, Dr. Peter J. Alizzeo of Shrewsbury, MA. She also leaves five grandchildren; Atty. Gary Alizzeo and his wife Kinta, Mark Alizzeo, Dr. Robyn (Alizzeo) Eldredge and her husband Brian, Sarah Recupero, and Sonya (Recupero) Hernandez and her husband Carlos. She has four adorable great grandchildren; Sierra and Maya Alizzeo, Shane and Wesley Eldredge.

Veneda's family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Bay Breeze Health & Rehabilitation Center and Hospice of Venice for their wonderful compassion and care.


In celebration of her life, please reach out to someone in need and share an act of kindness as
Mrs. Atchue would often do.


A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester Street, West Boylston at 11:00 am on Friday, September 25, 2015. Burial will be private. There are no calling hours, flowers or donations.

Arrangements are under the care of Fay Brothers Funeral Home, West Boylston, MA