Irene J. (Paradis) Boucher, R.N.

Irene J. Boucher, R.N.

Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother

Irene J. (Paradis) Boucher, R.N. died peacefully on February 23, 2022 in Lowell, MA with her loving family at her side.   She was the beloved wife of Roger R. Boucher to whom she had been happily married for over 63 years.

Irene was born in Lowell, daughter of the late Borromée and Marie Louise (Soucy) Paradis.  She graduated from Ste. Jeanne d'Arc School and St. Joseph's Girls High School.  Irene received her nursing education at St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing and pursued further studies at Boston College School of Nursing.

In the early years of her professional life, she was employed in the Emergency Room at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Lowell and quickly rose to the position of Head Nurse of that department.  Irene subsequently stepped back from her nursing career to raise her three sons and care for her elderly parents.  She remained credentialed for her entire working life, and even returned to nursing in a part time role at Chelmsford Medical Associates.

Irene was a devout parishioner of St. Jeanne d’Arc and later St. Rita’s Parish in the Pawtucketville neighborhood of Lowell.  After moving to Westford, MA in 2004 she became a proud member of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish.  She was a strong supporter of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate – including her brother Rev. Roger C. Paradis, O.M.I. who served the people of Haiti as a missionary for over 50 years – and the Jesuits, who educated her children at the College of the Holy Cross.

Irene loved music and attending live performances of plays, musicals, and organ concerts throughout the region.  She was a prolific knitter and her grandchildren particularly enjoyed the fruits of her labor. She loved family road trips to the beach, the mountains and Canada, as well as excursions further afield to Bermuda, Florida, California and, if necessary to see grandchildren, England.

Irene had been a member of the Ste. Jeanne d’Arc School P.T.O. Board, the Mothers’ Clubs of Bishop Guertin High School, Nashua, NH and Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA and the alumni association of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing.  She was an original participant in Harvard’s Nurses Health Study in 1976 and continuously for 43 years thereafter, helping researchers understand major chronic diseases affecting women. 

Besides her husband Roger, she is survived by three sons, Roger C. Boucher and his wife Maura K. Boucher, of North Andover, MA and their children Elizabeth and Matthew; Norman P. Boucher and his wife Helen W. Boucher MD, of Wellesley, MA and their children Caroline and Mary Allison; Andrew P. Boucher and his wife Erin M. Boucher, of Shrewsbury, MA and their children Emily and Grace Irene. 

Irene is also survived by a sister, Priscilla A. Dragon of Chelmsford, MA and many nieces and nephews, including Linda Barry and her husband Tom, who were her neighbors at the Village at Stone Ridge in Westford, where she also leaves many other friends.  Irene was predeceased by her three brothers, Rev. Roger C. Paradis, O.M.I., Arthur Paradis, and his wife Phyllis Paradis, and a brother Roland Paradis, and by three sisters, Laurette Wagner and her husband Edward Wagner, Therese Lewis and her husband James Lewis, and Doris Hines and her husband Harold Hines, and a brother-in-law Paul Dragon.

Irene always cherished her husband, sons and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren and her greatest enjoyment was spending time with them and knowing they were healthy, safe and happy.  

The Boucher family is grateful to the many caregivers from the Saab Residence and Senior Helpers who assisted ‘Mémère’ over the past few months.  We also appreciate the kindness and generosity shown Irene by the residents of the Village at Stone Ridge over the past 18 years.

Relatives and friends will be received on Sunday, March 6 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the TYNGSBOROUGH FUNERAL HOME, 4 Cassaway Drive, Tyngsborough, MA.  Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 7 at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church of Blessed Trinity Parish, 107 North Main Street, Westford, MA.  Committal services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, East Chelmsford, MA. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Saab Residence at D’Youville Life & Wellness Community, 1085 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 (dyouville.com).  For online condolences or directions, please visit tyngsboroughfuneralhome.com.

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