Karen L. Lapierre

Haverhill: Karen L. (Dion) LaPierre, 63, of Haverhill, died suddenly, on Sunday, December 18, 2011 in Haverhill.

Born, raised and educated in Chelsea, daughter of the late Alcide and Eleanor (Berry) Dion, she was a member of Chelsea High School Class of 1966.
Employed for thirty-five years as a pensions coordinator for John Hancock Company, she retired in 2001.

An active volunteer with the Haverhill community as well as the Sacred Hearts Parish community of Bradford, Mrs. LaPierre was a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic Daughters of America, The Massachusetts Alliance for Children and the Cursillo movement.

Over the last thirty years, she and her husband have cared for over one hundred eighty foster children. She also served as the co-manager of the Angelo Petrocelli Food Pantry at Sacred Hearts Church as well as the coordinator of the parish Children's Christmas Gift Program and the Thanksgiving and Easter meals program.

A longtime supporter of the Haverhill Boys - and Girls - Club, Mrs. LaPierre was a recipient of the Haverhill Citizenship Award, The Jane and Ray Newman Award, the Haverhill Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds Award and the Interfaith Network of Compassion award. In 1990 she was named Foster Parent of the Year by the Department of Social Services and later received the Goldie Rogers Award.

She is survived by her husband of thirty'seven years, Willian F. LaPierre,  sons and daughters-in-law, William F., Jr. and Ronda LaPierre of Palm Bay, FL, Stephen B. LaPierre of Key West, FL, Paul M. LaPierre of Palm Bay, FL and Randall S. and Shannon LaPierre of Coral Springs, FL, a daughter, Faith LaPierre of Palm Bay, FL, a brother, Richard Dion of Derry, NH, two sisters, Denise Chapdelaine and Sherrill Evers of Haverhill, ten grandchildren, Anson Sikolick, Paula Zeaman, Courtney LaPierre, Alexandria LaPierre, Stephanie LaPierre, Keynen LaPierre, Kendra LaPierre, Lindsey LaPierre, Logan LaPierre, and Kristin Garcia, three great-grandchildren, Reef, Lilli-Ann and Trever, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by brothers, Robert and Kenneth Dion, and sisters Ann Paradis and Jeanne Welch.

Her calling hours will be held on Thursday, December 22, 2011 from 4 to 8 pm in Sacred Hearts Church,  165 South Main St., Bradford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10:30 am in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Sacred Hearts Food Pantry, 48 South Chestnut St., Bradford, MA 01835.  Arrangements are under the direction of Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit our website at www.brooksidechapelfh.com.