Doris P. Vachon, 88, passed away peacefully at Birch Hill Terrace with her daughter and family by her side on April 24, 2016 following a period of declining health. She was born in Manchester on July 20, 1927, the daughter of Albert and Alice (Soucy) Plante.
She had been employed by Pandora Industries, Wendy’s, KRL and Allen Bradley prior to her retirement in 1990.
She married her husband Maurice on July 3, 1948 and shared 63 years of marriage prior to his death in 2011. Prior to and following their retirement, they enjoyed spending time together and traveled to all 50 states, many provinces of Canada and to many countries, at times visiting their sons wherever they were stationed.
She was a devout Catholic, a communicant of St. Catherine of Siena and/or the Chapel at CMC and was a frequent visitor to the Precious Blood Monastery. She volunteered for many organizations, but actively at Catholic Medical Center for almost 24 years where she and her husband were once Volunteers of the Month and were also featured in Parable Magazine in 2009. She loved to knit and would often be seen making mittens, slippers and afghans for loved ones and mittens for area children through a local organization.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was pre deceased by her 3 brothers, Marcel, Roger and Paul and a grandson David.
Family members include two sons, CSM (Retired) Roger Vachon and his wife Diana of W. Valley, Utah, CW5 (Retired) Robert Vachon of Germany; two daughters, Diane Hebert and husband Richard of Manchester, who lovingly cared for her in her final months, and Susan Forest and her husband Leon of Manchester; seven grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren (some affectionately calling her “Old Mem”); several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Her daughter Diane and family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Birch Hill Terrace for their exceptional and outstanding care given to her Mom in her final months, as well as a thank you to the VNA staff for their care.
Per Doris’ wishes her body has been donated to Dartmouth Medical School. There are no calling hours. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Catherine of Siena Church, Webster St. on Saturday, April 30th at 10 AM. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missionary Rosebush, c/o Precious Blood Monastery, 700 Bridge St., Manchester NH 03104.