...last of the "Irish Sisters," and Senior Activist; 88
TEWKSBURY - Bernice E. (Irish) Sprague, age 88, an activist in Tewksbury's senior community, died peacefully, Tuesday, March 15, at Palm Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Chelmsford, following a long period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of Darrell E. Sprague, who died in 1999.
She was born in Medford, September 29, 1922, one of five children of the late Arnold and Elsie (Towle) Irish. She was raised in Medford, but moved to Tewksbury in 1952. She along with her sisters became active members and well known in the community as the "Irish Sisters." She will be fondly remembered for her warm smile, patience, and kindness to others.
She was a member of Medford High's Class of 1942, and her long history of civic involvement started with the Pythian Sisters of Somerville, where she held the title of Past Grand Chief. She was involved in the Drum and Bugle marching band community with the Andover Rocketeers and the Danvers Prancers. She was past Chairwoman and Sargent-at-arms of the Tewksbury AM-Vets and a member of the Middlesex County chapter of the Am-Vets. She was a sixty year member of the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, and in earlier years taught Sunday School at the church. She and her late husband danced with several area Square Dance groups. She served as Precinct 2 Poll Warden for town elections. Her legacy will live on in Tewksbury's Senior community where she served faithfully as a member of the Council on Ageing, and Treasurer for the C.O.A. and as Chaplin for many years on the Golden Age Club. She maintained a drivers license into her late 80's and used it to deliver "Meals On Wheels" to dozens of senior shut-in's, while serving as a member of the Merrimac Valley Nutritional Program. She was also popular for shuttling her peers to and from medical appointments and the Tewksbury Senior Center. She was a volunteer for Community Teamwork Incorporated, and a member of the organization's R.S.V.P. program.
She was the beloved mother to four children, Darrell E. and his wife June (Asselin) Sprague of Rochester, NH, Sheryl A. and her husband Michael Hirko of St. Augustine, FL, Bruce A. Sprague of Greenville, NH, and Donna J. and her husband John Theriault of Waco, TX; was the devoted grandmother of 8, proud great grandmother of 6; and leaves many nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late Mildred Irish, Gladys Johnson, Roland Irish and Alfred Irish.
Visiting hours Thursday, from 4 to 7 in the funeral home. Her funeral service was held Friday in the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, So. Tewksbury. Burial followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, 2335 Main St., Tewksbury, MA 01876, will be appreciated.