Elaine M. Morissette

Elaine Mae Morissette, age 86 of Methuen, passed away peacefully at Academy Manor in Andover on Friday, April 24, 2020 from natural causes after a period of declining health.  She was the oldest of three, born in Methuen to hardworking parents employed by Arlington Mills in Lawrence.  Elaine graduated from Searles High School as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1950.  After high school, she graduated from nursing school at Mass General Hospital, working there for a time before moving on to pediatrics at Lawrence General.

Elaine met her soulmate Rene in high school.  They were married on March 20, 1954, spending the next 51 years working together to accomplish so much for the benefit of their family and their community.  For every project Rene took on, Elaine was behind the scenes doing much of the work.

One example is their work together associated with the Methuen Senior Center.  Built in 1984, Rene led the design, construction, and later operations - Elaine handled most of the paperwork and functioned as the initial treasurer.  She served as the Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustees and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Methuen Council on Aging.  The Methuen Exchange Club honored Rene and Elaine with its Service to Seniors Award in 2004.

Passionate about music, Elaine played the organ since high school, and for 35 years was the organist and choir director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.  Elaine loved her church, and had many fond memories of time spent at St. Andrew’s with her family, fellow parishioners and lifelong friends.  She was the church pledge clerk for many years.  Elaine later became a trustee of the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, spending much of her time finding sponsors for the Hall’s summer recital events.

In recognition of her service to her community, Elaine received many awards, including an award for Service to Methuen Senior Citizens in 1993.  October 15, 1995 was “Elaine Morissette Day” at St. Andrew's Church.  In 2010, Elaine received an award from the Methuen Board of Trade, honoring her dedication to the advancement of Business Civic and Social Welfare of the City of Methuen.  She received a Methuen Council on Aging Certificate of Service in 2015, and was recognized as the Methuen Senior Center Volunteer of the Year in 2018. 

Spending time with her family was most important to Elaine, enjoying holidays, birthdays, eating meals together or playing cards, particularly 45s.  Not long ago she won her last game, besting her son and granddaughters.  We know she was probably getting help from her father.

Elaine’s family members include her son Garry and  his wife Sarah Morissette of Andover, daughter Donna and her husband John McCann of Bradford, VT, and son Glenn Morissette and Melissa Perkins of Southborough, MA; sister Sandra and brother Howard; 13 grandchildren – Kendra, Ron, Tracy, Seth, Sheri, Greg, Nick, Julie, Laura, Erin, Kyra, Katherine, and Brian; and 10 great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Rene,  her parents Ernest and Mary (Shirton) Dearden, and her daughter-in-law Theresa (Bolduc) Morissette.

Elaine’s family would like to thank the staff at Methuen Village and Academy Manor for the compassionate care they provided, as well as her neighbors in Methuen for the thoughtful help they gave her over the last few years.

Services will be private. A memorial service and celebration of Elaine’s life will be announced on this site once the Covid precautions are lifted. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions in Elaine’s name be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or to the Methuen Memorial Music Hall.  Arrangements are by the Dewhirst & Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen.  To leave an online condolence, please visit Elaine’s tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.

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