Helen C. (Dupuis) McLaughlin, 90, of Haverhill, died Dec. 7, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston, surrounded by her family. A native and lifelong resident of Haverhill, she attended St. Joseph Grammar School and Tilton School and graduated from Haverhill High School with the class of 1948. She worked in the local shoe factories and for WHAV, a radio station in Haverhill, and in later years, she provided childcare in her home to family and neighborhood families. Calling hours are Thursday, Dec. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. Her funeral begins Friday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m., from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, Haverhill. Burial follows in St. Joseph Cemetery, Haverhill.
Loretta A. Platt, 81, died suddenly Dec. 3, at Lawrence General Hospital, surrounded by her children. Born in 1938 to Ronald and Josephine (Meehan) Platt, she grew up in the Greater Boston area, moving to Lowell in her early teens. She worked at the local Brigham’s Ice Cream store in town, which at the time was managed by her father. In 1959, she was elected Campus Queen at Lowell State College, a school devoted to creating teachers, after which became a central part of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Graduating in 1959, she taught elementary school until starting her family, and remained active in education as a Sunday school teacher and later a substitute teacher in Methuen Public Schools. After graduating from college, Loretta met Dr. Louis Yarid, married and had four children together; Linda, Louis, Joseph, and Lisa, raising their family in Andover and later moving to Methuen.
After many years of raising her children at home, Platt accepted a paralegal position at the state Department of Energy where she worked for many years helping to shape policy. After leaving public service, she realized a dream and became the owner of The Purple Pizazz at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston. The gift shop was dedicated to her favorite color and specialized in collectibles and unique Boston merchandise.
Platt is survived by her children Linda and Apostolos Koutoulas of Haverhill, Louis and Tracy Yarid of Methuen, Joseph and Marla Yarid of Methuen, and Lisa and Joshua Ferry of Methuen, as well as her grandchildren Louis III, Nicholas, Rachel, Kira, Anastasia, Neondre, and Lennon. She also leaves her brother Ronald S. Platt and his wife Vicki Grauer of Providence, RI. She is also survived by her dog, Beau.
Visitation is at the Dewhirst and Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019 from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service takes place Saturday, Dec. 14, at 10:30 a.m., at First Church Congregational, 26 Pleasant St., Methuen. A reception follows in the church hall.