Irene Theresa Murray

Saco

Irene Theresa Murray, 79, of Saco, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at her daughters' home in Palm Bay, Florida.

She was born on May 4, 1943 in Biddeford to her parents Arthur and Evelyn (Jean) Lavalliere.

Irene married her high school sweetheart, John, on October 20, 1962 at St. Andre's Church in Biddeford. They started their married life in southern California, where John was stationed as a Marine, before returning to Maine to raise their girls. When John later joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, she too joined, they severed as members of the 204 & 24 Flotilla. When John cofounded the New Hampshire Highland Games in 1976, Irene was a central figure in their development and early operations. They were married for 51 years before his passing in 2013. Irene was a homemaker who devoted her life to her children, grandchildren and in time, her great-grandchildren. After her daughters had grown and left the home, her and her husband loved tracing their family trees and traveled extensively in Canada, France, and the United Kingdom on the pursuit of genealogical discoveries. She especially loved to travel and enjoyed these vacations as well as others to the American West and Hawaii.

She is predeceased by her parents, her husband and her youngest daughter, Christine Murray, who passed in January of this year.

She is survived by two daughters, Diana Jannelle and husband Wayne and Theresa Collins and husband Wayne. Six grandchildren, Elizabeth Collins, Joseph Micucci and wife Amanda, Katie Fiorina and husband Joseph, Nicholas Jannelle, Patrick Collins and wife Kristen, Heather Coro and husband Adam; as well as four great-grandchildren, Zoie, Gwendolyn, Olivia and Benjamin.

Visiting Hours will be from 4-7PM Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James Street, Saco. A Funeral Service will be held at 11AM Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Cote Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the family lot at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Biddeford. To view Irene's memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com