MANCHESTER, NH – Sr. Irene Parenteau, CSC (Sr. Mary Amabilis), 101, of the Sisters of Holy Cross, Manchester died April 16, 2017 at her residence.
She was born in Suncook on June 19, 1915 to Fremenda and Amabilis (Lachapelle) Parenteau. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Cross in 1933 and made her final profession in 1940. She served the Congregation for 74 years.
Sr. Irene earned a BA degree from Notre Dame College, Manchester and an MA in French Literature from the University of Montreal, Montreal, P.Q. She also pursued graduate courses in Paris. Sr. Irene taught parochial elementary and high school under the direction of the Sisters of Holy Cross in Adams and New Bedford, MA, N. Grosvenor Dale, CT, Nashua, NH, and at Immaculata and Trinity High Schools in Manchester, NH.
Her last teaching assignment was at Notre Dame College in Manchester, NH. She managed the bookstore at Notre Dame College for several years upon retiring from teaching. Sr. Irene retired to St. George Manor in 1988 where she served as transportation director for the residents. She transferred to Holy Cross Health Center in 2008.
She was predeceased by her parents.
The family includes two sisters, Jeannette Cheney of Marlborough, and Germaine Lacroix of Concord; and several nieces and nephews.
SERVICES: All services are Wednesday in the chapel at the Sisters of Holy Cross, 357 Island Pond Rd., Manchester. They will begin with a visitation period from 8 to 9:30 a.m., with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of Holy Cross Development Fund, c/o Sisters of Holy Cross, 377 Island Pond Rd., Manchester, NH 03109.
