Mary “Irene” (Borrelli) Calabrese age 93 of Methuen, formerly of Lawrence, passed away on December 29, 2014, at the Holy Family Hospital. Irene was born in Methuen on October 4, 1921, to the late John and Louise (Ceprano) Borrelli. She was raised in Lawrence and was a graduate of Lawrence High School, Class of 1940. She was an accomplished cook and enjoyed having her family over as often as possible to shower them with her culinary treats and love. During her working career, Irene was a seamstress for William Barry’s. Her passion for sewing was reflected in the wonderful items she designed with love for her family. She mostly enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was the loving wife of the late Thomas Calabrese with whom she shared 65 years of marriage. She leaves her daughters Carolyn Compton and her husband Bradford of Salem, NH and Marie Hittinger and her husband Douglas of Middleton. She also leaves her grandchildren Kristen Cook and her husband Donald of Danville, NH, Martha Compton of Buchtil, OH, Rebecca Koerber and her husband Timothy of Colorado Springs, CO, Thomas Compton and his fiancé Kristin Camuso of Boston, Douglas T. Hittinger of Newbury, , and Tara Reed and her husband Jason of Wilmington, her great grandchildren Noah Cook, Maia Cook, Brenna Koerber, Katie Irene Koerber, and her brand new great grandson, Adam Reed, her brother John Borrelli of Methuen, her many nieces and nephews, and her friends at Park Garden Apartments. The family would also like to acknowledge the staff from Caretenders VNA for their continued care and compassion.
Friends and guests are invited to call on Friday, January 2, 2015, at 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St. Methuen. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 9:00 AM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home. Interment to follow at the Bellevue Cemetery of Lawrence. For directions and online guestbook, please visit the funeral home website, www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Calabrese Family.