Irene Marie (Lessard) Bunnell of Peaceful Harvest passed away Saturday night, November 18, 2023 in her sleep.

She was born in Milford, MA, on June 23, 1928 to Gedeon and Anna (Simoneau) Lessard. She grew up in Claremont, NH and worked at the shoe shop on Mulberry Street. She married Herman Bunnell Sr. on August 23, 1947 and resided in Claremont.

She loved being surrounded by her family and when a new baby was born, you can bet that she would have it in her arms. Christmas being her favorite holiday, we were spoiled. The house was decorated from one end to the other and her homemade fireplace all lit up, candy canes covering the woodwork and presents everywhere. Crocheting was her favorite hobby where she spent hours making ponchos and bonnets for dolls, which she donated to various places for children. She loved going for rides through the countryside, stopping at McDonalds and getting ice cream along the way.

The surviving family includes four daughters and two sons, Judy Harford and her husband Ross of Ascutney, VT, Peggy Davis and her husband Donald of Claremont NH, Dale Bunnell and his wife Nancy of Westmoreland, NH, Sandra Lindberg and her husband Lor of Cavendish, VT, Kenneth Bunnell and his wife Lorie of Unity, NH, and Martha Zabielski and her husband John of Charlestown, NH.

She has twenty-eight grandchildren, forty-three great grandchildren and sixteen great great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Herman Bunnell Sr., daughter, Betty Ann Bunnell and son, Herman Bunnell Jr. (Trigger); parents, Gedeon and Anna Lessard, brothers, Henry Lessard, Robert Lessard, Norman Lessard and Maurice Lessard, sisters, Simone Birmingham, Theresa Barry, Cecile Bedard, Rita Scott, Claire Lessard and Alice Lessard.

Funeral services will be held at Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH on December 15th, 2023 at 11:00 am followed by a burial at St. Mary's Cemetery, then a gathering at the Claremont Country Club on Maple Ave. in Claremont.