MaryEllen Lavertue's Obituary
MaryEllen (McPhee) Lavertue, 77, of Lawrence passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 09, 2023 at the Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence.
Mary was born on October 17, 1945 in Lawrence, MA to the late Joseph and Helen (Sparks) McPhee. She was raised and educated in Lawrence. Mary worked at the Malden Mills and went on to own her own cleaning business. She enjoyed playing Bingo, the lottery, scratch tickets, and spending as much time as possible with her loved ones.
She was a devout catholic who watched the daily mass and prayed the rosary. Mary was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Parish in Lawrence and was also a member of St. Patrick’s Lady Sodality. Her favorite past time was to be artistically creative and visiting the Salem Willows.
Family is the one word that truly encompasses Mary. She was a loving and devoted wife. She and her husband, Donald, were true soul mates and best friends. Mary was also a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Leading by example, she taught her children about love, kindness, and respect by never speaking an unkind word about others.
Mary will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity and zest for life – a humble woman, a woman of family, a kind and brave soul, never forgetful of her roots. She enjoyed living a simple life, but anyone who sat in her presence would tell you that there was always a life lesson to be learned there. It is through those lessons and tremendous love that Mary’s memory will live on in those who had the privilege of knowing her.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Donald Roy Lavertue; son, John Lavertue; her brother, Peter McPhee; and sister, Linda McPhee; and granddaughter, Lauren.
Mary is survived by her cherished children, Joseph Lavertue and his wife, Frances of Lowell, Donna Lavertue of KY, James Lavertue and his wife, Lisa of KY, Matthew Lavertue of Lawrence, and Thomas Lavertue and his wife, Melissa of VA; her adored sisters, Barbara A. Pappalardo of Windham, NH, and Gloria T. Lefebvre and her husband, Robert of Methuen; and loving nineteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter; she also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Relatives and guest are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, April 16, 2023, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 17, 2023 at Saint Patrick’s Parish, 118 S. Broadway in Lawrence. Burial will follow at St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or EWTN PRO-LIFE Weekly via www.etn.com. For directions or online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Lavertue Family.
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