Dorothy S. (Thompson) Lavallee, 85, Retired from Lucent

Dorothy S. (Thompson) Lavallee, 85, of Haverhill passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, Tuesday Oct. 3, at Wingate of Haverhill.

She was born in Haverhill July 23, 1932, daughter of the late William and Margaret (Comeau) Thompson. Lavallee was a graduate of Haverhill High School with the class of 1950. She was employed at Lucent for more than 20 years, retiring in 1997. In her earlier years, she also worked as a nurse’s aide in a local nursing home and a driver for children with special needs.

Lavallee was a talented artist who was awarded many blue ribbons for her watercolor paintings in the Greater Haverhill Arts Association annual art show. She also was adept at knitting, crocheting and sewing. She enjoyed playing the piano, gardening, cooking, baking and cake decorating. She took up the game of golf at the age of 70 and enjoyed practicing in her yard and playing at local courses with her daughter, Paula. But most of all, Dorothy enjoyed her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always ready and willing to help out whenever she was needed.

She was the wife of the late Francis J. Lavallee who died in 2003 and is survived by her daughter, Paula Desmarais of Haverhill; son, Peter G. Lavallee and his wife Denise of Dunstable; grandchildren, Renee Morin, Brian Desmarais, Elise Samatis, Peter Lavallee and Mark Lavallee; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother William H. Thompson Jr. in 1998.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visitation Monday, Oct. 9, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Home, 106 Summer St., Haverhill. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial follows Monday at 11 a.m., in St. John the Baptist Church, Lincoln Avenue. Haverhill. Burial is in the Greenwood Cemetery, Haverhill. Contributions in her memory may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St. Bldg. 9 Lawrence, MA 01843 or to Wingate at Haverhill Resident Council Activity Fund, 190 North Ave. Haverhill, MA 01830.