Greenfield, MA – Helen Cort Avery, 77, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026.
Helen was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was raised in Longmeadow, where she lived throughout high school. She made her home in Greenfield, where she built a life filled with family, love, and cherished traditions.
She was the beloved wife of Michael Avery, Sr.; devoted mother of Dianne Porrovecchio and her husband Scott; and loving stepmother to Michael Avery Jr., Robby Avery and his wife Sherri, and Cameron Avery. She was a proud grandmother to Austin Porrovecchio and his partner Samantha Browning, and step-grandmother to Amber, Shelby, Zackary, Colby and Kody Avery.
Helen is also survived by her dear cousins Barbara-Ann Pomeroy and her daughter Barbara-Lee Terezakis; her sister-in-law Suzanne Cort; nephews Bryan and Rick Cort; and nieces Lesley and Karyn Cort.
She was predeceased by her parents, Royce and Betty Cort, and her brothers Colwell “Doc” Cort and Royce Cort, Jr.
Helen retired from Genworth Financial, formerly Phoenix Mutual Insurance, and decided she wasn’t ready for retirement so she went to work for HFCCA in Greenfield for a few years before fully retiring during the COVID pandemic. Retirement allowed her to enjoy the simple pleasures she loved most-reading, playing cards, and watching sports on television with Mickey, especially football, baseball, and tennis. A devoted New York Jets fan, Helen entered every season with hopeful determination, always believing this would be the year.
Some of her happiest memories were made during annual summer vacations in Maine with Mickey, Dianne, Scott, and Austin. Evenings were spent playing Pitch-Helen and Scott versus Mickey and Dianne-with the losing team tasked with making dinner, a tradition filled with laughter and friendly rivalry.
Above all else, Austin was the light of Helen’s life. From the time he was just three months old, he spent every Saturday night at Grammy and Grampy’s house. Helen lovingly prepared his favorite meal-homemade French fries and grilled steak-every week from the time he could eat solid foods, a ritual they shared for many years. Their bond was deep, joyful, and unwavering.
Helen also cherished her Christmas tradition, celebrating each year with Dianne’s family in Buckland, delighting in the joy of watching everyone open their gifts-a moment she treasured since Austin was born.
Helen will be remembered for her devotion her family, her quiet strength, her sense of humor, and the love she had for her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter.
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