Louise Parsons, 79

FITCHBURG — Louise Mary (Haley) Parsons, 79, of Fitchburg, died Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at HealthAlliance Hospital/Leominster.

Louise was born in Fryeburg, Maine, on Aug. 29, 1930, the daughter of Harold (Jack) and Helen (Locke) Haley. Louise graduated from high school in Fryeburg, Maine. She loved school and was an excellent student. After her marriage in 1956, she lived in South Portland for several years before moving to South Lancaster and then Lancaster, where she lived for more than 20 years. Most of her young adult life was spent as a caregiver; raising her five children and caring for her parents who lived in an in-law apartment in the family home. She also worked nights as a childcare worker for Dr. Franklin Perkins School and sold baked goods to local restaurants.

In 1981 she moved to Leominster and later to Fitchburg where, while hospitalized for depression, she suffered a debilitating stroke and moved into a long term care facility. She spent the last 15 years of her life living at the Golden Living Center in Fitchburg. She was especially close to her daughter, Julie, who was a tireless advocate for her mother and a constant source of companionship and comfort. Louise valued beauty, nature, music, good food, relationships and intellectual pursuits. She was an excellent cook and was renowned for her Down East specialties including corn chowder, whoopie pies and date filled cookies. Throughout her life, Louise had a special affinity for the marginalized members of society. She loved poetry – reading it and writing it.

She is survived by her five daughters, Lisa A. Parsons, Nancy Louise Parsons and her long-time companion, Lane Lavoie, Julie B. Parsons and her husband, Dennis Graf, all of Fitchburg, Susan H. (Parsons) Buchholz and her husband, Gary, of Ashburnham, and Melissa E. (Parsons) Sprague and her husband, Tom, of Athol. She also leaves one brother, Laurence (Larry) Haley and his wife, Margaret (Peggy) of South Portland, Maine; 11 grandchildren including 10 grandsons and one granddaughter; and two greatgrandchildren. One grandson, Jesse, predeceased her in 1986. Louise was formerly married to Donald T. Parsons of Saco, Maine.

Bosk Funeral Home assisted the family.