Irene Chalifoux

OXFORD - Irene A. (Desmarais) Chalifoux, 101, died Tuesday, March 8, 2011, at the Meadows of Leicester. She is survived by three children, Therese I. Kavorkian and her husband John of Barefoot Bay, FL, Carol A. Goldsmith and her husband Edward of Oxford, and Peter C. Chalifoux and his wife Margaret of Bracey, VA; 13 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 12 great great grandchildren; nephews and nieces, cousins and friends. Irene was born in Worcester on October 15, 1909, the daughter of the late Frederic and Alice (LaCroix) Desmarais, and lived for many years in Auburn. She later lived in Wilbraham and in Michigan before returning to live in Oxford after the death of her husband, Clement Chalifoux, in 1968. She attended Classical High School in Worcester. She was pre-deceased by a brother, Robert Desmarais; a sister, Edna Mason; and a grandson, Thomas Kavorkian. While living in Oxford, she was active in Senior Center activities, delivered meals-on-wheels, played many bridge games, bowled in several area bowling leagues, enjoyed knitting, reading, bridge, crafts and traveling, and was a familiar sight walking on Main Street. She was a founding member of North American Martyr's Church in Auburn, and is currently a member of St. Roch's Parish in Oxford. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of The Meadows for the excellent care given Irene since she moved there in 2006. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at St. Roch's Church, 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will be at a later date at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester. Calling hours are Monday, March 14, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Residents Activity Fund, The Meadows Nursing Center, 111 Huntoon Memorial Highway, Rochdale, MA 01542-1305 or to Friends of the Oxford Memorial Library, 339 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540.