Amherst, NH – Irene (Richards) Dean, 86, formerly of New Bedford, died peacefully at the Greenbriar Terrace Healthcare facility on December 9, 2007 in the presence of her family. She was the widow of Ronald Dean.
Mrs. Dean was born in E. Freetown, daughter of the late David and Alice (Ainsworth) Richards, and moved to New Bedford shortly after her marriage in May of 1943 where she lived most of her life. She was a member and longtime deaconess of the First Congregational Church, Lunds Corner. Shortly after graduating from high school, she became bookkeeper and part owner of the family business, Richards Pontiac in E. Freetown. When that business closed in 1984 she became personal secretary for R. Udell Thornton of the former Allen Beam Company, New Bedford until her retirement. She was a fun-loving person with a good sense of humor and liked nothing more than entertaining family and friends.
Survivors include a daughter: Marjorie I. McAdams and her husband Kevin of Amherst, NH; a son: Jack W. Dean and his wife Sharon of Mattapoisett; a son-in-law: James Hickey of Southboro, MA; a sister: Isabelle A. Howes of Wareham; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and several nieces & nephews. She was mother of the late Janice Hickey and sister of the late Elizabeth Lovenbury, William Richards, Charles Richards and David Richards, Jr.
Flowers are acceptable or memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church, Lunds Corner, 2195 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, MA 02745.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend:
Visiting hours Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 4:00-7:00 P.M.
Funeral service on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 11:00 A.M.
Interment in Acushnet Cemetery, Acushnet.