Helene Gagliano. (Courtesy photo)
Helene Gagliano of Harvard died on April 9, 2026, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, following a 15-week journey with glioblastoma.
Helene (Bunin) was born in Newark, New Jersey, on Aug. 20, 1959, to Helen and Charles Bunin. She grew up in Mountainside, New Jersey, alongside her seven siblings: Christine (Siejk), Laura (Russell), Lisa (Bunin), Charlie (Bunin), Lynn (Cutini), Anna (Bunin) and Steven (Bunin).
Helene married her husband, Guido Gagliano, on Feb. 17, 1984. They started a family while living in Pittstown, New Jersey. In 1987, they moved to Fitchburg, where they became cherished members of the Christ Church community. In 1993, Helene graduated with her master’s degree in social work from Boston College. She and Guido moved to Acton, where they raised their children. During these years, Helene worked as a hospice social worker and built a private psychotherapy practice in West Concord. She also worked at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, a therapeutic cancer support community. In 2016, Helene and Guido moved into their dream home with a western view of Mount Wachusett, in Harvard.
Helene lived a life defined by depth, compassion, and a quiet defiance of convention. A rebel at heart, she was always curious, felt deeply, and lived with authenticity. She experienced the world with profound sensitivity and offered that depth as a gift to others. As a grief and bereavement therapist for over 25 years, Helene guided many through their most difficult moments with wisdom and tender care.
A woman of unwavering faith, she often said she was the luckiest person she knew—a true testament to her enduring gratitude and perspective, even in the face of life’s hardships.
Helene was a gifted pianist and a member of the Sounds of Stow chorus. Music was an essential part of her life. She was also passionate about her gardens, her grandchildren and all things wild.
Helene is survived by her beloved husband, Guido Gagliano, of Harvard; her parents, her siblings, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She leaves behind her son, Joseph Gagliano, of Lowell; her daughter, Francesca Korbas, and husband Greg Korbas of Norfolk; and her daughter, Alessia Doss and husband Ethan Doss of Northampton. She also leaves behind her stepdaughter, Shoana Terra-Nova of Brick, New Jersey, and her stepson, James Gagliano of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Helene will be most dearly missed by her grandchildren: Effie, Thoren, Ophelia, Juno, and Orion.
While the family is full of sorrow, it comforts them to know Helene is finally reunited with her daughter, Juliana, and her stepson, Daniel.
A service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Acton.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Helene’s name to the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, (healinggardensupport.org/donate/).