Iris E. Grenert

1923 - 2022

Iris E. Grenert, 99, of Manchester, NH, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, June 3, 2022.

Iris was a woman of great strength, grace and beauty. She was a devoted wife, mother, nana, friend and confidante. Her legacy speaks for itself.

Born in Barnesville, OH on March 1, 1923, she was the daughter of Charles and Hazel Mathews, eldest of 6 children.

After high school, she entered the United States Coast Guard, where she worked as a dental hygienist.

Iris met her husband, Albert, in New York City while they were both serving in the military. They were married April 2, 1945, and together they raised eight children and were blessed with twenty grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren. She had a special love and unique bond with each one of them.

While raising her family, she attended Saint Anselm College, graduating in 1955 with a major in Biology.

She was a manager with Jordan Marsh in Bedford for sixteen years. Later, she worked in the banking industry until her retirement at the age of seventy-eight. Upon retirement, Iris and Al moved to Maine, a place near and dear to their hearts.

Iris volunteered for many organizations over the years, one of which being CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) FOR CHILDREN, which she found very rewarding.

She is the founder of the Al Grenert Memorial Golf Tournament in honor of her late husband, who was the men's basketball coach at Saint Anselm College for twenty-two years. She was an avid supporter of her husband's coaching career.

Iris's favorite past times were playing bridge with her friends, reading, gardening, and traveling.

Though miles apart, she always treasured time spent with her brother Donny, his wife Pat, and their five sons, whether here in NH or traveling to Ohio.

Iris is predeceased by her husband, Albert in 2002; and their son, Terry in 1961; her brothers, Don, Charles, Fred, Richard; and granddaughter, Abbie.

She is survived by her children Geoff, his wife Donna, Gregg, his wife Holley, Donna, her husband Lou, Mark, his wife Sue, Lisa, Al "Chip" Jr., his wife Joan, Scott, his wife Dori; twenty grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; a sister, Jean-Ann of GA; a sister-in-law, Pat of OH; and several nephews and nieces.

Services: The funeral will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022, with a Mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM, in Saint Anselm Abbey, 100 St. Anselm Dr, Manchester, NH 03102.

Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Bedford, NH.

Memorial donations may be made to CASA of New Hampshire, 138 Coolidge Ave, Manchester, NH 03102.

The Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 537 Union Street, Manchester, NH is handling the arrangements.

For more information, visit: www.connorhealy.com