Obituary of Irene M. "Minnie" (Herman) Minyard

Irene M. “Minnie” (DeFouw) Minyard, 80, died Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at the Rosewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Peabody with her extended family at her side. Mrs. Minyard was born on February 7, 1927, in Williamson New York, daughter of the late John and Jacoba (Herman) DeFouw. She was raised in Williamson by her mother and her late stepfather Abram Schooneman and graduated from Williamson High School in 1945. She moved to Danvers many years ago and has been a resident of Peabody since 1986. Mrs. Minyard was employed for 40 years as clerical worker at AT&T and the New England Telephone Company in Salem retiring in 1989 from their Boston Office. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and was very instrumental in organizing fundraisers for general charities and the Peabody Golden Agers. Known to her extended family as “Auntie Minnie”, she was an avid shopper who enjoyed traveling, baking, gardening, crocheting and needlework. She also attended at the Peter Torigian Community Life Center in Peabody. She is survived by 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Mary and Gerald DeRue of Newark, NY, Cora DeFouw of Rochester, NY; 2 nephews, Richard Schooneman and David DeRue of NY; 2 nieces, Eileen Welker and Karen Schooneman of NY; 4 great nieces and 3 great nephews; her extended family, Alice and Louis Baglio, David Baglio, John and Deborah Baglio, Lily, Lucas and Brooke Baglio, Ellie and David Coulter all of Peabody. Her sister Juliana DeFouw and a niece Michelle DeRue predeceased her. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., (new location) Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody.