Margaret Lapierre, age 73, of Hampstead, N.H., died peacefully Wednesday afternoon, January 11, 2012 surrounded by her beloved family after a long illness at Merrimack Valley Hospice in Haverhill, MA.
Margaret was born in Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland, the daughter of the late Timothy and Kathleen (Sheehan) Harrington. She immigrated to America in 1959 with her brother Noel. She settled in Andover, MA and worked at the Andover Inn. In 1961, she moved to San Francisco for couple of years before returning to Massachusetts in 1963 when she married her husband Paul. For many years, Margaret took care of her elderly mother at home. Her dedication to caring for her mother and for her own family was unmatched. After her mother passed away in 1988, Margaret took up Irish set dancing which was one of her true loves. She would dance several nights a week and travel around the US and to Ireland to set dance with many of the close friends she made over the years.
Margaret worked for Raytheon Company in Andover, MA for 22 years. Throughout her many years in the Quality Assurance Department, she made many close friends and was cited by management on multiple occasions for her outstanding job performance. More than anything, Margaret loved her family. She was a devoted and proud wife, mother and grandmother. She also had countless friends who were like family to her. After retiring from Raytheon, Margaret worked part-time at the Hampstead Health and Fitness Club caring for the children of club members. She loved caring for the children and became one of the most popular employees at the club. Margaret was a devoted Catholic and attended mass at St. Anne’s Parish in Hampstead, NH on a daily basis. Her faith was strong and helped her get through many difficult times when she was ill.
Margaret is survived by her husband Paul; sons and daughters-in-law Kevin P. and Maureen Lapierre of Salem, NH, David M. and Kelly Lapierre of North Berwick, ME; her daughter Pauline M. Lapierre of Haverhill, MA; her beloved grandchildren Laura, Fiona, and Sophia, her sister and brothers Mary, John and Vincent of Australia, her sister Anna of Chester, England, her brother Noel of Waterbury, CT, her brother Kevin and his wife Una of Pelham, NH, her sister Veronica and her husband Frank of Greenville, NY, and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her sister Francis and her brother Michael.
Calling hours will be Monday, Jan.16th from 4-8 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tues. Jan. 17th at 10:30 AM at St. Anne’s Church, Hampstead, NH. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Hampstead.
Memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Pl.,
Memphis, TN 38105. or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Av, Boston, MA 02215.