Irene R. Simoes

July 11, 1924 - December 27, 2017

Irene R. (Sousa) Simoes, 93 of Lawrence, passed away on December 27, 2017 at Mary Immaculate Nursing Center. Irene was born in Lawrence on July 11, 1924 to the late Manuel and Palmeda (Bettencourt) Sousa. She was a graduate of Searles High School, Class of 1942. Irene was a bookkeeper for Craig Systems and then F.J. Beeley and Son until retirement. A lifelong devout Catholic, Irene married her sweetheart, Caesar Simoes, at St. Peter and Paul’s Church on April 28, 1946. She loved knitting, crocheting, travelling and as the matriarch of her family she enjoyed spending time with them. Irene touched many lives and she will fondly be cherished, loved and missed. Irene is survived by her four beloved children: her daughter Shirley A. Amore and her husband Joseph of Salisbury, MA, her son Ronald A. Simoes and his wife Cathy of Methuen, her daughter Judith A. Beeley and her husband Paul of Haverhill, and her daughter Cheryl A. Palmer and her husband Richard of Haverhill. She was the proud grandmother to her 12 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 18. Irene is also survived by her sister Beatrice DeSimone of Lawrence, many nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law Mabel Corso of Naples, FL. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Caesar, with whom she celebrated 44 years of marriage and her two brothers, Manuel and Thomas Sousa. The Simoes family would like to personally thank the staff at the Mary Immaculate Restorative Center for their caring and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Irene’s memory to Merrimack Valley Partners in Service Inc. PO Box 262, Methuen, MA 01844. Visitation for Irene will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 4 – 8 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Friends and family are cordially invited to attend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Monica’s Church on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 11 AM. Interment to follow at Elmwood Cemetery, 110 N. Lowell Street, Methuen. To leave an online condolence please visit www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is proud to serve the Simoes family.