Dorothy H. Remillard

Ms. Dorothy Helen Remillard, age 93, of Salem, NH, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024, at home in Salem, NH.  She was born August 17, 1931, in St. Apollinaire, Québec, Canada, to the late John and Apolline Laroche (Courcy).

Dorothy is survived by her “girls,” daughters, Diana (Arsenault) Gionet  of Salem, NH, Linda (Arsenault) Provencal of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and Ann Marie (Remillard) Beaudoin and her son-in Law Chuck Beaudoin of Methuen, MA, her brother Ernest Laroche and sister-in-law Doris Laroche of Derry, NH her 12 grandchildren, including Michelle Hamblen for whom she had a very special relationship, 19 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Joseph Ronald Remillard, her brother Raymond Laroche, sisters Lorraine Laroche and Theresa (Laroche) Cromidas , her sons-in-law Thor Gionet and Dr. Arthur Provencal, granddaughters Nicole Gionet and Brooke (Gionet) Johansen and first husband John Arsenault.

Dorothy became a US citizen in 1933, at 2 years old, and grew up in Lawrence, MA, later moving to Methuen, MA where she and her husband “Ronnie” raised their family and lived most of their lives. In 2014 they moved to Salem, NH where they lived out the remainder of their years.

Dorothy was a calm and gentle woman who did not like conflict.  Her favorite things included gatherings with friends or family where there would be plenty of food to share (with bread and butter at every meal), a SkipBo or card game played, the possibility of some dancing, lots of laughs, and often Jello shots.   If there was a baby present, “oh my,” she would be sure she had a chance to hold them. 

Dorothy’s strong faith carried her through many trials in her life, and with Our Lord’s guidance, she lived her life with a positive view of the world and a love and acceptance of those around her. In recent years her daily routine included hours of praying and televised Mass. She was a devoted Catholic and member of Saint Anne’s Church in Lawrence, Saint Theresa’s Church in Methuen and most recently, Saint Mary and Joseph Parish in Salem, NH. 

Though our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our family’s laid-back matriarch, we are comforted to know she is seated at the table of God, with her previously departed friends and family, and that, most likely, there is a card game being played. 

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Wednesday November 13, 2024 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Goundrey Dewhirst Funeral home 42 Main Street, Salem, NH. A Funeral Mass will be on Thursday November 14 at 10:00 am in St Joseph Church, 40 Main Street, Salem, NH. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Andover. To leave an online condolence, please visit Dorothy’s tribute page at www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com.

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