Adele Grace LaFrenier's Obituary
Adele “Tillie” (Iannazzo) LaFrenier, 98, of Methuen, MA, formerly of Andover, MA, passed away on January 28, 2024, after a long and full life. As a woman of great faith, she was at peace at the end of her life and was looking forward to rejoining her family in heaven.
Adele grew up in Lawrence, MA, graduating from Lawrence High School in 1942. She then attended the MacIntosh Business School, followed by employment at the MA Department of Mental Health. She also attended the Blanche Soucy School of Design, which led to many years of taking classes herself to improve her sewing and design skills, and eventually to teaching sewing classes at the Department of Community Services in Andover.
As a young woman, Adele sang with the Heart Sisters at local community centers and neighborhood gatherings. Her years in Lawrence are chronicled by the Lawrence Historical Society in an oral history.
Adele married the love of her life, Roger, and they raised their family in Andover. Widowed at 47, she showed tremendous strength in moving forward after such a profound loss. Never one to indulge in self-pity, she did what she needed to do to raise her family. She rejoined the workforce, at first working part time so she could be home when her children needed her, and then full time at AT&T until her retirement in 1990.
Unmistakably the head of the family, Adele led by example. We always knew family came first, no matter what, and her greatest legacy–her devoted children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren–continue to live their lives according to this belief.
Adele was preceded in death by her husband, Roger, and son-in-law, John Spires Jr; and her siblings, Alphonse Iannazzo, Ann Capriole, Joan DeCorpo, Rose DeBenedetto, Perry Iannazzo, John Iannazzo, and Mary Ambrosino. Adele will be missed by her large extended family and friends.
She is survived by her loving family, Carlene (LaFrenier) Spires, Adrienne (LaFrenier) Webber and her husband, Mark, Audrey LaFrenier and her husband, Ralph Spiller, Elisa LaFrenier and her husband, Alan Beaumier; and her many adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend calling hours on Thursday, February 1, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St., Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 2, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, MA, where she was a founding member. Interment to follow at St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence.
As an expression of sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund, the MSPCA or Elara Caring Hospice in Adele’s memory. For directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the LaFrenier family.
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