Mary E. (Sullivan) Letourneau, 90, of Haverhill, and wife of Richard E. Letourneau., passed away at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill Wednesday morning, July 22.
Shewas born in Haverhill, in 1925 to impoverished Irish immigrant parents. Through the force of her own abundant and determined will she fought her way out of poverty, culminating with graduating from Salem State College in 1947. She married her husband, Richard, in 1948. In 1950 she and Richard began their family.
Letourneau taught school in Washington, D.C., and Haverhill, Massachusetts, finally retiring in 1988 from the Groveland school system.
She and her husband pursued their retirement, for over 20 years, by traveling the country. Their travels took them to most states, and many casinos where she enjoyed the slot machines. She fulfilled one of her dreams in 1995 by traveling with her husband to her cherished Ireland.
Throughout her long life, her Irish heritage followed wherever she went. She regaled in anything Irish. Her family will remember her as a strong, loving woman who truly embodied the saying…”Is this a private fight, or can anyone get in?” All that needed saying was said. All that needed doing was done. Farewell.
Letourneau is survived by her husband of 67 years; a son, Richard E. Letourneau Jr. and his wife Susan;and a daughter Elizabeth Letourneau. She was predeceased by her son Lawrence Letourneau in 1990. Letourneau also leaves five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Her funeral is Saturday morning, July 25, beginning at the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 South Main St., (route 125), at 9 a.m.. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. John the Baptist Church, Lincoln Avenue, Haverhill at 10 a.m. Interment follows in Linwood Cemetery. Visiting hours are Friday in the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Courtesy local transportation will be provided on request to the visiting hours by calling Patrick Driscoll at (978) 374-0000. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830.