1921 – 2015

LACONIA, N.H. — Irene D. Therrien, 93, a resident of the Belknap County Nursing Home, died Saturday, Jan. 17, at Franklin Regional Hospital following a period of failing health.

Irene was born on Dec. 1, 1921, in Berlin, N.H., a daughter of Eugene and Nathalie (Garon) Dube. She was raised in Jay (Chisholm). At the age of 16, she went to be a nun, but due to illness could not stay.

Irene lived in Holyoke, Mass., for many years, where she worked at many places. For several years, she and her husband owned a variety store, to which people would come from all over to buy her Italian sandwiches. She made the best grinders ever.

While they owned the variety store, they helped a lot of people. When people were laid off from work and going through rough times, they would donate lots of food, including candy for children. They were very generous and caring people of the community.

They moved back to Livermore Falls, where Irene retired from Foster Manufacturing in Wilton. She was a longtime member of the Daughters of Isabella in Jay.

When Irene’s husband died, she moved in with her daughter in Laconia, N.H. She made several new friends and loved going to the Community Center and Friendship Club. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Charlene and Gene Moses of Laconia, N.H.; one stepdaughter, Julie and George Bishop of Alfred; three stepsons, Roland and Therese Therrien of Jay, Joseph “Buckshot” Therrien of Jay and Wilfred Therrien of Milbridge; five step-grandchildren, Joyce and Nick Cameron of Gilford, Betty and John Stefanik of Hooksett, N.H., Gene Jr. and Lorna of Sunapee, N.H., Donna Moses of Hill, N.H., and Danny Moses of White River Junction, Vt.; several step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Doris Arsenault and Patricia “Pat” Szafranowicz, both of Holyoke, Mass.; three brothers, Normand Dube of Jay, Oscar Dube of Manchester, N.H., and Maurice Dube of San Angelo, Texas; a godchild, Anita Roberts, of Lincoln, R.I.; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved friends, Herman and Sharon Martin of Laconia, N.H., Gloria Ladore of Laconia, N.H., and Irene Thibeault of New York.

She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Edward “Freeze” Therrien, who died Nov. 7, 1986; three stepchildren, Yolanda (Therrien) Morasse of Northfield, N.H., who died May 9, 2013, Lorraine “Lorrie” Hoskinson of Riverside, Calif., who died June 15, 2013, and Robert Therrien of Palmer, Mass., who died Feb. 20, 2007; and one step-granddaughter, Kathy Moses, who died in February 2009; her brother, Bob Dube, of Chicopee, Mass.; and her sister, Aline (Dube) Dionne, of Saco.

Irene’s family wishes to give many thanks for the great care she had at Belknap County Nursing Home. The staff are such caring people; they showed compassion and gave her the personal care she needed, as if she was family. They laughed and joked with her and gave her whatever she wanted for food — she would always ask for strawberry short cake — and every once in while, a staff member from the kitchen would bring her one. They have become part of my family and for that I will be eternally grateful. I am grateful for the visit at the hospital from Shelly and Annette, which put a smile on her face. My mom really, truly loved each and every one of you; may God bless you all.

For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com or www.finleyfuneralhome.com.