Mrs. Irene “Marty” (Martel) Richards, a resident of North Andover and beloved wife for 73 years of the late Charles “Bill” Richards, passed away at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill on Saturday morning, February 12, 2022. She was 97 years old.
Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on May 23, 1924, she was the beloved daughter of the late Raoul J. And Elsie H. (Zacharias) Martel.
Mrs. Richards graduated from Lawrence General Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse, in her later years she worked in the rectory of St. Augustine Church in Andover. She enjoyed family gatherings and card games with her extended family. She loved traveling with family and her husband, from winters in Florida to summer trips with grandchildren. She was an avid fan of Jeopardy, Yahtzee, crossword puzzles and crypto quotes, and kept a daily journal of life. Above all, Irene was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed.
Irene is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law; Janice A. and her husband Neil F. Murray of Atkinson, New Hampshire, grandchildren; Jessica and her husband Mark Hanson of Exeter, New Hampshire, Christopher Murray and his wife Amy Holland of Acton, Massachusetts, and Alison and her husband Jason Hrycuna of Sandown, New Hampshire, great-grandchildren; Isabella and Christian Hanson, both of Exeter, New Hampshire, and Finn and Nora Murray, both of Acton and many nieces and nephews.
She was also the mother of the late Robert A. Richards and mother-in-law of the late Flora I. Richards.
Irene’s Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Saint Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover on Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 12:30 PM. Relatives and friends are most welcome to attend. Interment will be held in the Saint Augustine Cemetery in Andover. Donations in Irene’s memory may be made to St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover, MA 01810. For additional information, please visit www.burkemagliozzi.com.