Irene M. Bourbeau
Concord, NH - Irene M. Bourbeau, 85, of Concord, NH, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Born on December 8, 1939, in Laconia, NH, she was the youngest of nine children to Maurice and Rosilda Gilbert. The family moved to Concord when Irene was seven, where she attended St. John's School.
In 1958, a year filled with milestones, Arthur completed his service in the Marine Corps, Irene graduated from high school on June 9 and married the love of her life, Arthur W. Bourbeau, just 12 days later on June 21. The couple spent the first three years of their marriage in Concord before settling in Penacook, where they spent 44 years raising their four children and running a successful general contracting business for over 30 years.
Irene and Arthur enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life together, filled with travel, family and cherished memories. They vacationed to Sanibel Island, Florida, enjoyed golfing together, boating on Lake Winnipesaukee, and took many road trips in their motor home. In their retirement, they dedicated themselves to maintaining their beautiful yard and gardens, often helping neighbors while sharing a sweet wave as they passed each other from their riding lawnmowers. Irene especially found peace on the swing that Arthur built for them, watching the birds, tending to her flowers, and feeding the chipmunks.
Above all, Irene was a beloved wife, mother, and Nana. She was reunited with her only son, Michael Bourbeau, and leaves behind her devoted husband, Arthur, and three daughters: Donna Thornton and Butch; Linda Snow and her husband, Tom Sr.; and Annemarie Stewart and her husband, Marc. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Matthew Thornton, Amanda Colby and her husband Jason, Jessica Currens and her husband TJ, Christina Harrison and her husband Brian, Tom Snow Jr. and his wife Jenn, Tyler Stewart and his wife Elizabeth, Julia Maynard and her husband Evan, and Cade Stewart. Irene was blessed with ten great-grandchildren who adored their time with Nana: Hunter and Faith Colby, Ava and Camden Currens, Kennedy and Summer Harrison, Tessa, Zoe, and Xander Snow, and one more little one on the way.
Irene was predeceased by her eight siblings and their spouses: Rene Gilbert and his wife Betty, Rita Soucy and her husband Joseph, Del Gilbert and his wife Betty, Arthur Gilbert and his wife Madelyn, Cecile Soucy and her husband Ray, Norman Gilbert and his wife Harriet, Florence Simoneau and her husband Richard, and Edward Gilbert and his wife Rose.
A celebration of Irene's life will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 10:00 AM at CenterPoint Church, 20 North State Street, Concord, NH. All are welcome to attend and share in the celebration of her remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Care Woman's Center of Concord, 13 West St, Concord, NH 03301:
(
www.CWCFriends.com) or the Concord Regional VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant St, Concord, NH 03301:
(
www.GraniteVNA.org).
The Cremation Society of NH is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, please visit
https://csnh.com/. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irene M. Bourbeau, please visit our flower store.
Published by Concord Monitor from Jul. 30 to Jul. 31, 2025.