Methuen, MA- Bernadette M. “Bunny” (Belanger) Elston, 89, died Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at Lawrence General Hospital surrounded by those she loved.
Born and educated in Lawrence, Bernadette was the daughter of Leda (Matton) and Emile Belanger. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Lawrence, Class of 1937.
For more then 30 years, Bernadette worked for the Federal Government, first as part of the Draft Board during World War II and then as an Executive Secretary at the IRS in Andover.
A longtime communicant of Our Lady of Good Counsel/St. Theresa’s Church as well as the former St. Augustine’s Parish, Bernadette was a member of the Third Order of Mary as well Rainbow Club. While her children attended school, she was also very active in the Mother's Guild at St. Augustine’s.
For many years she was a member of the Federal Retirees Association as well as a board member. She volunteered for the American Red Cross blood drives and for the Methuen Senior Center. She enjoyed playing 45’s, knitting and crocheting, and line dancing. Her biggest joy, however, came from her family, whom she loved so much.
Widow of the late Bernard E. Elston Sr., with whom she shared 44 years of marriage, Bernadette will be deeply missed and is survived by her daughters; Francine M. Riordan and her husband Michael of North Andover, MA; Linda T. Hildebrandt and her husband Andrew of Methuen; son, Bernard E. Elston Jr. and his wife Paula A. of Deerfield, NH; 7 grandchildren; Kimberly Riordan of Newburyport; Bill Riordan and Katie McGuiness of Lowell, Christopher Rousseau of Methuen; Andrew Rousseau and his fiancé Elizabeth Peters of Manchester, NH; Chelsea Hildebrandt of Methuen; Jessica Laroche and her husband Stephen of Deerfield, NH; Joel Puglisi and his wife Adrienne of Seattle, WA, and three great-grandchildren; Stewart, Katherine and Delaney Nora. She is also survived by her siblings; Brother Joseph Belanger FMS; Irene and Joseph Golden; Emil and Charlotte Belanger; Raymond and Cecile Belanger; Laren Smart, widower of Julie; Ethel Belanger, widow of Phillipe; Rita and Vila Cote; and Ernest and Alicia Belanger, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday, March 12th, 2010 from 3-5 and 7-9 at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 13th, 2010 at 11 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel/St. Theresa’s Church in Methuen with burial to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence. Memorial Contributions may be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel/St. Theresa’s Church 22 Plymouth St., Methuen, MA 01844.