Obituary of Catherine Patricia (O'Leary) Pariseau

Catherine Patricia, "Pat" (O'Leary) Pariseau, entered into Heaven on Friday, October 16, 2009. “Pat” had been a resident of the Blueberry Hill Nursing in Beverly for the past 6 years. A nearly lifelong resident of Peabody, she was the daughter of the late Nora (Tobin) and Patrick O'Leary who was born in County Waterford, Ireland. “Pat” graduated from St. John the Baptist School and Peabody High School. Mrs. Pariseau was the wife of the late Rene O. Pariseau, a local grocer and long time proprietor of Rene's Market, originally located on Lynn Street, and later on Washington Street in Peabody. After her husband's untimely death, Mrs. Pariseau resumed her career as a nursing assistant at Chelsea Naval Hospital and subsequently at the Veteran's Hospital in Bedford, a position which she held until her retirement. She thrived on caring for others. She cared for her beloved son during his illness, and opened her home to care for others during the years. She loved to read about her Irish heritage, and enjoyed many visits with her cousins, the Tobins, in Ireland. An accomplished Aran knitter, she crafted Irish-knit afghans and sweaters for all of her family members. In her later years, she enjoyed participating in the events at both the Peabody Council on Aging, and the Trask Adult Day Health Center. For many years she was a daily communicant at St. Ann Church in South Peabody. Many have said that walking into “Pat’s” house was like walking into a big hug. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched, and her memory will be carried in the hearts of her family and friends. Pat was known for her warm, kind and forgiving personality. She lived her life with faith, hope and charity, and will be missed beyond measure by those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Pat is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Diane (Pariseau) Raftery, (a retired teacher from the Peabody School System) and her husband Paul of Salem, four grandchildren, a dear "daughter", Susan Ross O'Brien of Alexandria, Virginia, and many dear nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her husband she was predeceased by her son, State Trooper Ronald Pariseau, her four sisters Mary (O’Leary) Kummel, Margaret (O’Leary) Hogan, Ethel (O’Leary) Griffin, Ruth E. O'Leary, and her two brothers James and Richard O'Leary. Her funeral will be held on Monday at 9:00 AM from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., Peabody facility (downtown) followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody at 10:00 AM. Visiting hours on Sunday from 4-7 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Burial will be in Purtian Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Roger Trask Adult Day Car Center, 79 Central St., Peabody,MA 01960 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 in her memory.