Margaret Isabelle Deschenes

Margaret Isabelle Deschenes, 88, died peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Andrew (Dutch) Deschenes with whom she shared 38 years of marriage prior to his passing in 1993. Margaret was born in South Canaan, Vermont on September 11, 1934 and was the daughter of the late Henry and Mary (Gallant) Hebert. She obtained her RN from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Nashua, NH in 1954.

She was employed as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital followed by employment in a physician’s office until her second child was born. She then became a full time, dedicated mother. In 1982, she joined the staff at Charron Medical Equipment, where she worked until her retirement.

After retiring, Marge immediately joined RISE, (the Rivier Institute for Senior Education.) At RISE, she took many classes, both academic and exercise, partly fulfilling her lifelong wish to attend college. She advocated to all of her retiring friends that they join RISE.

In her free time, she enjoyed choral singing and genealogy research. She loved attending plays and classical concerts and was a devout Catholic. She attended Mass at many Catholic Churches in Nashua.

Above all, her most cherished time was spent with her loving family. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Andrew (Dutch,) daughter Christy, son Michael (River,) as well as her brothers Peter, Roger, and Raymond. Margaret is survived by her three children Lori Gerlich and her husband Terry of Philadelphia, PA, Susan Deschenes and her husband Fred Dyke of Amherst, NH, and Cathy D. Waddell and her husband Stu of North Andover, MA. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Katie Gerlich, Mary Gerlich Blake and her husband James Blake, Andrew Waddell, and Daniel Waddell; and her great-grandchild, Luna Nova Gerlich Blake as well as her sister, Claire Allard of Manchester, NH; along with many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to Margaret’s visitation on WEDNESDAY, January 11th from 3 until 6 PM at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua. Her Funeral Mass will be held on THURSDAY, January 12th at 10 AM at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 777 West Hollis Street, Nashua. Interment will follow in St. Louis Cemetery, Nashua. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Margaret’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, either online or at P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ANCTIL-ROCHETTE.com