Grafton, N.H. —
She was born in Medford, Mass. on Feb. 9, 1922, the youngest of Allan and Sarah MacGilvary’s five children. In 1940 she married the love of her life, Leonard Guaraldi, who predeceased her in 1983. They had lived in Somerville and Chelmsford Mass. before moving to New Hampshire in the 1950’s.
Her parents and her siblings, Harold MacGilvary, John MaGilvary, James MacGilvary and Mary Cecilia MacGilvay MacDonald all predeceased her.
Irene is survived by her six children, Lawrence Guaraldi and his wife, Sharon of Canaan, N.H., Jean VanVoorhis of Kansas, Leonard Guaraldi Jr and his wife, Sandra of Lebanon, N..H, Irene Rousseau of Kansas, Rita Pennington of Texas and Tom Guaraldi of Texas. She was the proud Grandmother of 21 Grandchildren, 38 Great Grandchildren and 17 Great-Great Grandchildren.
Irene’s life was dedicated to her husband and children, making all the holidays a special time with lots of decorations and memorable meals. She loved Prince Edward Island and visiting extended family there.
She particularly loved Bagpipes and the Scottish Festival at Loon Mountain.
As the children grew up, she would be found accompanying her husband and becoming a member of the Grafton County Deputy Sheriff’s association.
After the death of her husband, she enjoyed living in many different parts of the country – Florida, Tennessee, Kansas, and ending in Houston Texas.
While in Texas, she was proud to have been the oldest individual (in her 80’s) to have completed a Civil Defense course and assist with disaster relief.
There will be calling hours beginning at 10 .am. at St. Mary’s Church in Canaan on Saturday, May 20 with a mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11 a.m. and burial at Pine Grove Cemetery immediately following. Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon is handling the arrangements.
“Messages of condolence may be expressed with the family through an online guestbook by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com