Noreen E. (Lowney) Parker, 67, of Cataumet passed away on Sunday November 30, 2014 at McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich.
Born on October 30, 1947 in Boston to John P. and Irene (Boudreau) Lowney, Noreen grew up in New Bedford and was a graduate of Holy Family High School. After high school, she attended UMass Dartmouth where she received a degree in secondary education.
Noreen lived a fulfilling and loving life. She raised three children, and she recently connected with her oldest son, Stephen, whom she gave up for adoption while she was a teenager. Noreen is fondly remembered as the surrogate mother for many others to whom she opened her home and heart: Jim, Erin, Preston, Rachel, Kim, and Lilly.
As a teacher at New Bedford High School and Bourne High School, Noreen helped thousands of students build essential math skills. She loved her students.
Noreen was an avid crafter and enjoyed crochet, needlework, and beading. She took great pleasure in making gifts of her crafts. She was a kind, generous and loving person, and we are lucky to have known her.
Noreen is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Edward Parker; her children, Stephen Melanson of Acushnet, Sean Parker and his wife Betsy Smith of Brewster, Kathleen Parker of Jacksonville, FL, Dorothy Parker and her fiancé Thomas Sakach of Richmond, VA; her siblings, Eileen Lowney of Fairhaven, Pauline Lowney of New Bedford, Jane Fowle of Waterford, CT, John Lowney of Fairhaven, Annie Lemenager and her husband Norman of New Bedford, Timothy Lowney and his wife Susan of Dartmouth,and James Lowney and his wife Christine of Groton, CT; her grandchildren, Tiffini Rautenberg and Kenneth Melanson of Findlay, OH; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Noreen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Irene Lowney, and her brother Daniel Lowney.
Her Funeral will be held on Friday at 10 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601 (http://hopehealthco.org/giving). For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.