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Beatrice Gagnon Harrawood

Apr 13, 2021

Beatrice Gagnon Harrawood passed away on April 10, 2021 peacefully after several months of declining health in Keller TX. Beatrice Jean was born on April 26, 1926 to Alexandra (Pellerin) and Joseph Jean of Nashua NH, the 9th child of a family of 13 children, 9 sisters and three brothers all of whom have pre-deceased her: Alice, Yvette, Marie-Ange, Noella, Marguerite, Gertrude, Amédée, Charles, Evelyn, Henry, Claire and Yvonne.

On December 29, 1944 she married her childhood sweetheart, Maurice A. Gagnon on a 10-day Christmas furlough during WW2. They were happily married for 46 years, raising 4 children filling their lives with family gardening, summer weekend picnics and yearly camping trips before it was a popular activity. Maurice pre-deceased her on July 8, 1990. In December 1994 Beatrice married Leo Harrawood from Novi Michigan. They enjoyed 14 years of retirement together between Michigan, Florida and finally Texas where “Bea” remained to be near two of her adult children after Leo’s passing in 2008.

Bea was known for being fun loving and optimistic. She always referred to herself as “Busy Bea.” A child of the “Great Depression” she learned from an early age the value of hard work and a deep faith in God which served her all her life. She was a stay-at-home mom raising her children for 14 years. When Moe began his home construction business on their 15 acre property in the 1960’s, she worked right alongside of him while the kids were in school. They were not just a married couple but best friends. They were a team. Everyone knew them as “Bea and Moe”. What they lacked in formal education, they made up for in hard work and determination. Bea treasured her Catholic faith and realized the power of education. These core beliefs guided her in the raising of her children. Gifts that are invaluable.

She was known for her love of style and always wanted everything to match from her earrings to her shoes. Before the days of the Mall, she would take her daughters on an annual spring shopping trip to Filenes in Boston to buy a few new fashions. Bea was a very religious woman. During the later years she spent as a widow, she enjoyed attending Sunday Mass with her son and daughter-in-law. When that became too difficult for her, she looked forward to a Eucharistic minister bringing her Communion each week. She prayed the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet daily and encouraged others to do so as well. When asked how she kept her optimistic outlook on life she said “Always look forward, never look back.” She didn’t dwell on yesterday; she preferred enjoying today.

She leaves behind her son, Dr Maurice R Gagnon and his wife Paulette of Colleyville TX, and three daughters: Elaine Lafreniere and her husband Denis of Old Orchard Beach, ME, Doris Pierson and her husband Michael of Crowley, TX, Beatrice Gove and her husband Bill of Northfield NH. Nine grandchildren: Jessica Menendez, Justin Gagnon, Aimee Lafreniere, Colette Dumais, Denis Lafreniere Jr., Lisa Gannon, Kimberly Keeling, Lydia Gove and Liam Gove and 13 great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to Beatrice’s WALK THROUGH visitation on FRIDAY, April 16th from 3 until 7 PM at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua. Her Funeral Mass will be held on SATURDAY, April 17th at 10 AM in St. Louis de Gonzague Church, 48 W Hollis Street, Nashua. Interment will follow in St. Louis Cemetery, Nashua. To leave an online condolence, story, or message please visit www.ANCTIL-ROCHETTE.com.