Arlene J. (Payette) Cartier, 90 August 5, 1934 - September 18, 2024

Faith, Family, and Food

HAVERHILL – Arlene J. (Payette) Cartier, 90, daughter of our Lord, passed on September 18.Arlene was born in Haverhill on August 5, 1934. She was a lifelong resident of Haverhill.  She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to all.

Arlene was the daughter of Roland (peperé) and Alfreda (memeré) (Cormier) Payette. She was the mother of Michael W. and Maureen (Crites) Cartier, grandmother of Mackenzie A. Cartier, Molly L. Cartier and husband Andrew Lefoley, and Great grandmother of Theo Henry Lefoley. Mother of Steven G. Sr. and Pattie (Beaulieu) Cartier, grandmother of Steven G. Cartier Jr., and companion Christine Symms, Lisa M. (Cartier) and husband Michael Berry. Great grandmother of Gavin P. Cartier and Amelia G. and Samantha J. Berry. And supportive mother figure for her nephew Davey Payette.

Arlene Cartier was the eldest of the 9 Payette children. Sister of: Marilyn Daly, Marie and husband Wylie O’Brien, Carol and husband Albie Wile, Robert and wife Sandra Payette, David and wife Dale Payette. Arlene was predeceased by her sisters Jacqueline Killilea, and baby sister Sandra M. Payette, brother Alfred “Freddie” Payette, and brother-in-law Paul Killilea and Jimmy Daly. She was the aunt to many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews who she loved very much.

Arlene was a parishioner of St. Joseph Church of All Saints Parish; she was a graduate of St. Joseph School and attended Haverhill High School.  She worked for the National Heel Shoe Shop and retired from Western Electric. She spent her life caring for her sons, siblings in their younger days, and parents until their passing.  She was the best and most loving caregiver.

She lived 90 years and resided over sixty years in her home in Haverhill. Arlene’s kitchen was always open to family and friends. In the old days everyone gathered Saturday for lunch. Later the gatherings went to Wednesday at “Arlene’s kitchen.” Daily phone calls were received by her sisters Carol (Good Morning Sunshine), Marie, and Marilyn. She was an avid Word Search searcher but her greatest desire was to cook for everyone. “Finish it up” she would say!

Arlene was selfless, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a wonderful cook.

Arlene traveled to Florida with her parents, aunts, and nieces, trips to California, and Annual Pilgrimages to Canada with longtime friend Theresa Sturk and her daughters, and with her daughter in law, Maureen and granddaughters Molly and Mackenzie and lots of pilgrim friends. She spent every summer at Cartier camp in NH.

Arlene tackled the Coronavirus in 2020, and multiple cancers from 2021 to the present. Arlene accepted her suffering. She was the strongest woman we knew. She devoutly watched The Catholic TV Mass and prayed the Rosary and Divine Mercy with Bishop Robert Reed every day.

Our family would like to thank Reverend Andreas Davison, and the co-celebrants of the Mass, Kevin and the staff from Comeau Funeral Home, and the Doctors and staff of Dana Farber Methuen, and Pathways Home Hospice. Thank you for the love and compassion you gave to Arlene before and during her passing.

Arlene will, with lots and lots of love, be missed by all of us. God bless you, Arlene. Pray for us.

ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 21 at 10AM at All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Avenue, Haverhill. Burial to follow at Atkinson Cemetery, Atkinson, NH. In lieu of flowers please send your donation to Catholic TV, PO Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St, Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com