Irene (Beaulieu) Marcoux's Obituary
Irene (Beaulieu) Marcoux (94) passed away while holding Cousin Jim’s hand on Sunday, October 18, 2020 at Holy Family Hospital after a sudden and very brief illness. Born in Lawrence, MA on June 10, 1926. She was the daughter of Lillian (Murphy) Beaulieu of Lawrence and Alphonse Beaulieu of St. Germaine, Quebec, Canada.
Irene's younger brother Joseph George was born in 1928. A few months later as the Great Depression was setting in, Irene's father having no job, no money and unable to support his family returned to Canada never to returned.
Irene's mother, Irene and her brother George moved in with Lillian's parents; James F. and Rose (Desjardin) Murphy. Irene’s uncle, James F. Murphy Jr. lived in the same household. James Jr. who was only 3 years older was as much a big brother as he was an uncle to Irene and George. The Murphy’s and the Beaulieu’s lived on the third floor of a triple decker on the corner or Manchester Street and Blakelin Street. Lillian, her mother, and Grandpa Murphy worked at the Arlington Mills just across the street. Grandma Murphy raised Irene, George and James Jr. while Lillian and James Sr. worked.
Later as the children grew up, WWII came and went, Irene meet the love of her life, Emil Omar Marcoux. Emil’s mother, Imelda (Breault) Marcoux was Irene's hairdresser at Beau Ideal Beauty Salon at 345 Lowell Street. Irene and Emil married on June 2, 1950 at St Mary's in Lawrence. They lived in Lawrence for a few years. Eventually, Irene and Emil moved to Salem, NH where they lived happily for many decades.
James Murphy Jr. married eventually settling in Warren, RI with his wife Mary Adeline (Morin) and their five children. George Beaulieu moved to Corning NY married Velma (Sargent). George and Velma raised their five children in Horseheads, NY.
Though Irene and Emil did not have children of their own, they spent most holidays and family events with her uncle/big brother James Jr. She was always "Aunt Irene" to the Murphy children and Beaulieu children.
During their years together Irene and Emil became scuba divers. She loved to tell stories of catching lobsters on the ocean floor. In 1963, they were featured in a Western Electric's Communicator article which she would proudly show to visitors.
Besides scuba diving, she was skilled at crochet. Irene has donated many crocheted Afghans to charitable organizations for fundraising. If you have one, you have a work of art.
Irene had many careers. First, she was a dressmaker. Second, she was LPN for 49 years at Bon Secours/Holy Family Hospital. Third at 72 years old, she became a Realtor.
Irene is predeceased by her grandparents James Sr. and Rose Murphy (both 1966), her mother Lillian (Murphy) Beaulieu (1989), her husband Emil Marcoux (1993), her uncle/big brother James Murphy Jr. (2003) and her brother George Beaulieu (2015).
Of her brother George Beaulieu's children, Aunt Irene is predeceased by Richard Beaulieu (2001) of Elmira, NY and survived by James Francis Beaulieu of Pensacola FL, Lori Ann (Beaulieu) Frost of Elmira, NY, Joseph George Beaulieu of Elmira, NY and Rose Ann Beaulieu of Lockwood, NY.
Of her uncle/big brother James F. Murphy Jr.’s children, Aunt Irene is predeceased Mary Rose (Murphy) Politelli (2014) of West Warwick, RI and survived by Ann Louise Murphy of Rumford, RI, James Francis Murphy III of North Andover, MA, Dennis John Murphy of North Providence, RI and Jeanne Marie (Murphy) Pirri of Bristol, RI.
Irene and her cousin James Murphy III would like to thank Berkeley Retirement Home of Lawrence, MA for the exceptional care the staff provided to her since 2015. Irene was able to spend the last 5 years of her life happy and well taken care of.
Friends and guests are invited to call on Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St. Methuen. Interment to follow at a later date.
At the first anniversary of Irene’s passing, there will be a celebration of her life. Please email Jim Murphy at [email protected] to be included on the guest list.
For directions and online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.pollardfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a monetary donation in Irene’s memory to Berkeley Retirement Home, 150 Berkeley St. Lawrence, MA 01841. Berkeley Retirement Home established in 1895 is a not-for-profit organization providing retirement and nursing care to the elderly.
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