Irene M Bouchard

GROVETON – Irene M. Bouchard, 80, of Melcher Court, died Tuesday morning, August 29, 2023, at the Lafayette Center in Franconia. Irene was born January 7, 1943, the middle child of Adelard and Irene (Roberts) Singster, in Freetown, Massachusetts. She grew up in Freetown and was in the last class to attend 1st grade at the Assonet Village School, prior to the opening of the Freetown Elementary School. It was a one room school with 3 grades, a wood burning stove, and an outhouse. It is now a historic landmark. She then attended the new Apponequet High School and was in the second graduating class in 1961. Irene went on to attend Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing for 3 years and earned her diploma in nursing in 1964. She was a school nurse at the town elementary school and town nurse for approximately 10 years. She then worked at Lakeville Hospital taking care of muscular dystrophy patients in tank ventilators until modern ventilators became the style. When Lakeville Hospital closed, she continued her career at the New Bedford Rehab Hospital ventilators unit, until she retired due to severe arthritis. In 1969, she married John Bouchard and was blessed with one daughter Martha (Mark) Haskins. Irene and her father Adelard, a.k.a. White Bear, attended many native American events. Irene, a.k.a. Spring Deer, was a member of the Wolf Tail Drum. They belonged to the Dighton Intertribal Council and were members of the Abenaki of Mazipswick and related bands. When Irene went to weekly drum and singing practice, her granddaughters attended with her. Katelyn always slept in her lap at the drum, Amanda would go but was not as content. Irene enjoyed studying her ancestry, weaving baskets from pine needles, and beading on a loom. She also enjoyed flute music. In 2011 she moved to be close to her family and resided in Dalton, Lisbon, and Groveton. Besides her daughter and granddaughters, Irene is also survived by two sisters, Lucille Depin, Joyce Bolduc; her aunt, Lucille Rea; and several cousins including close cousins, Butch Rea, Jerry Singster, Cherie Cave, and Geraldin Dennison. A graveside service will be held Saturday, September 2, at 10:00AM in Johns River Cemetery, Dalton. Life Cycle Celebrant, Deborah Szauter, will officiate.

Irene M Bouchard

January 7, 1943 - August 29, 2023