Elaine Theresa Lavoie

Elaine Theresa (Thebodeau) Lavoie passed away in the early hours of February 25 after a brief illness. She was born on May 14, 1937, to the late Carlton and Margaret (Fecteau) Thebodeau in Richford, VT. Her family moved around before settling in Hudson, NH. She attended Alvirne High School as a member of its first class of students when it opened.

She married Lionel I. Lavoie Sr. on July 10th, 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was stationed in the army. They met when they both worked at J.F. McElwain, prior to his enlistment. They moved back to Nashua, building a home she lived in for the rest of her life. They remained married until his death in October 1999. Together, they had four children. She was later employed at the Holiday Inn of Nashua as Executive Housekeeper until her retirement.

Elaine was the beloved Mother of Marianne (Lawrence) Artz of Nashua, Lionel (Tammy) Lavoie of Brookline, John Lavoie of Nashua, and Dawn (Marcel) Lamothe of Raymond, NH. She loved all of her children.

She is survived by her four children, as well as her grandchildren, their spouses, and her great grandchildren: Patrick Lavoie, Daniel (Amanda) Artz, Jonathan (Danielle) Artz, Matthew Artz, Jacob Lavoie, Zachary Fournier, Chance Lavoie, Katie Artz, Cole Lavoie, Benjamin Lamothe, Joshua Lamothe, Alexander Lamothe, Aidan Lamothe, and Emiliana Lamothe. Her great grandchildren were Haileigh Artz and Elliana Artz. In addition, her two sisters, Gloria Bowles and Donna (George) Christilaw, as well as sisters in law: Ida Lavoie, who was also her friend and her church partner after they were both widowed, Elaine C. Lavoie, Rosalie Lavoie, Jean Thebodeau, and Marty Thebodeau. Her extended family includes many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, husband and brothers Kenwood, Carlton (“Sonny”), Raymond (“Skip”), and Robert (“Bobby”) Thebodeau.

Elaine was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985 at the age of 47, coping with it the way she did everything. She never pitied herself. The diagnosis never defined her. She lived a bold life because of it. It lead her to taking her first trip to Disney, which became her favorite place to vacation. She shared it with her husband before his death and her family for the rest of her life. Her last trip was earlier this month, a sort of “farewell tour” with her daughter Dawn. While in Disney this year, she was tickled pink to wear her Patriots hat, especially after cheering them on in the Super Bowl, never once doubting Tom Brady and the rest of the team. She also enjoyed watching the Red Sox and NASCAR.

Elaine didn’t have the easiest life, from growing up poor to working hard in adulthood, but she was one of the happiest people you could know. She loved to tell stories of her childhood, with the classic walking in the snow to get the groceries for her mother being one of her favorites.

She was full of sass, sarcasm, puns, and “pith and vinegar,” as she’d say. Her favorite people shared that sense of humor. She loved all of her grandchildren, and never hesitated to get down on the floor and play with them. She especially loved being able to babysit her great granddaughter, Haileigh, for the last two years.

The family would like to thank the Saint Joseph Cancer Center for all the years of support and care they provided, especially Tina, Karen, and Dr. Voltz. Thanks for the laughs and the loving care.

An hour of visitation will be held on Monday, March 4, 2019 from 9am-10am, with a Mass of Christian Burial taking place at 10am at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 777 W. Hollis St. Nashua. Burial will immediately follow at St. Louis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Corpus Christi Food Pantry, a charity she always supported.

We love you, we miss you. Until we meet again.