IRENE E. PEARSON (MATHIEU)

Irene E. (Mathieu) Pearson, 95, of Chapel Street, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in West Brookfield on Thursday, November 10, 2011, after an illness. Her husband of 51 years, George W. Pearson, died in 1993.

Irene was born and raised in Sutton, daughter of Oliver and Diana (Girard) Mathieu, and has lived in Holden for more than 65 years. She graduated from the Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse and was the night supervisor at Holden District Hospital for 29 years, retiring in 1981. Irene was a charter member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden. She was a very active volunteer at the Holden Senior Center for many years and the recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. She was a member of the Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association and enjoyed working in her garden.

She leaves two sons, George W. Pearson, Jr. and his wife Lynn of Fairbanks, Alaska and Ronald W. Pearson of Marshfield; three daughters, Patricia A. Connolly and her husband Andrew of Bristol, NH, Diane L. McDonald and her husband Roger of West Brookfield and Wendy L. Gagliardi and her husband Bernard of Madera, CA; a cousin and close friend, John McIntosh of North Grafton; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 3 great great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. A brother, Fred Mathieu predeceased her in 2005.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 12 Noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Memorial donations may be made to the Holden Council on Aging, 1130 Main St., Holden, MA 01520; or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114-2699.