Irene M. (Menihane) Lavin, 96, a resident of Methuen, Massachusetts, and Waterville, Maine passed away on Wednesday, December 5th, 2012 at Lakewood Nursing Home in Waterville, Maine, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on July 31, 1916 in Boston, Massachusetts to the late James and Bridget (Kennedy) Menihane. Irene was a graduate of St. Rita's grammar school, St. Mary's high school (class of 1934) and Lowell State Teachers College (class of 1938).
She worked as an elementary school teacher in Wilmington, MA, Hooksett, NH and for over thirty years at the Corliss School in Methuen, retiring in 1976. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 8 as well as the Massachusetts Teachers Association. Her most enjoyable moments were spent with family and the numerous girlfriends she had. She was a multitalented woman. She could sew a Halloween costume at a moment's notice while proofreading her child's homework assignment. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to shoot for the stars and believed that nothing was impossible for them to achieve. Her presence will be missed but her indomitable spirit will be felt forever. She was an attendant of St. Monica's Church. She was the widow of Thomas Lavin who passed away in 1987. Family members include her daughter: Mary T. Smallwood and her husband Gene of Lisbon, New York, her son: Bill Lavin and his wife, Rosemarie, of Waterville, ME. She also leaves four grandchildren Michael Smallwood and his wife Kaitlin of San Diego, CA., Katie Staiti and her husband Scott of Malden, MA., Tom and Jim Lavin of Waterville, ME. She recently was blessed with two great-grandchildren: Samantha Smallwood and Madeline Rose Staiti.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call on Thursday, December 6th, 2012 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 7th, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Saint Monica's Church in Methuen, MA. Her burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA.