Irene E. (Pare) Colpitts, 76, formerly of Bedford, died peacefully with her family at her side on April 11, 2009 at the home of her daughter in Hopkinton after a period of declining health.
Born in Manchester on July 31, 1932, she was the daughter of Gerard and Sybil (Raymond) Pare. She grew up in Manchester and Goffstown then lived in Bedford many years before moving to Hopkinton three years ago.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Plymouth Teachers College in Plymouth. She then taught elementary school students in Bedford for over 30 years.
Mrs. Colpitts was a longtime communicant of St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Bedford. She was a member of the Granite State Doll Club and various book clubs, and she enjoyed bird watching and gardening.
IN HER LIFE: The family includes her husband of 54 years, Charles A. Colpitts; five children, Dr. Gregory S. Colpitts of Franklin, Matthew Colpitts and his wife, Carolyn, of Sugar Hill, G. Christopher Colpitts and his wife, Rebecca, of Monroe, Elizabeth Colpitts-Hall and her husband, Matthew, of Hopkinton, and Martha Cronin and her husband, Jon, of Bedford; 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild; a brother, Clayton Pare of Manchester and cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by four brothers, Gerard Pare, George Pare, Robert Pare and Francis Pare.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday, April 16, 2009 at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 199 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford. Graveside committal prayers followed at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester.
Donations may be made to Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association, 30 Pillsbury St., Concord, NH 03301