She was born on Dec. 24, 1929, to Joseph Arthur and Lucia (Perreault) Bergeron in Bridgton. She attended Kennebunkport schools.
She was married to Gerard J. Lapierre in 1946 until 1959. On March 6, 1965, she married James K. Huff until his death in 1976. She was then married to Richard Keirstead in 1996, until his death in 1998.
Irene worked in Pepperell Mill until she started raising her family. Once her children were older, she went back to work. She was a waitress at various places, including Ledgewood, 3 Thieves, Priorities, Marsh View and Cascades. She retired from George’s diner in 2011.
She was a past president of the Saco Eagle’s Club. She also belonged to the Lion’s Club and the Moose Lodge. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking, canning and gardening.
She is preceded in death by: a daughter, Theresa P. Merrill-Wood on Nov. 8, 2010; a granddaughter, Laurie Chase-Rickett; a brother, Henry Bergeron; and two sisters, Maryanne Harrington and Claudette Matthews.
Irene is survived by: three daughters, Lilianne Babcock of Sanford; Claire Jacques of Hills Beach and Zelene Rondeau of Brooksville, Florida; three brothers, Lucien Bergeron and wife, Doris, of Biddeford, George Bergeron of Kennebunkport, and Paul Bergeron and wife, Faye, of Kennebunkport; a sister, Mildred Cluff of Kennebunkport; a godson, Tim Cluff of Sanford; four grandchildren, Cynthia Vermette, Tammy Lebel, James K. Huff II and Chad Perreault; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visiting hours will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at Hope Memorial Chapel 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Margaret Church in Old Orchard Beach. Burial will be in Goodwins Mills Cemetery in Lyman in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s name may be made to the Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel.
To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
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