Irene A. Lambert, 98, passed away peacefully at her home in Claremont, on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014. She had just celebrated her 98th birthday with her family the week previously.

Irene Anna Bergeron was born Dec. 14, 1916 in Claremont, the second of three daughters, to Arthur and Coranna Bergeron. Arthur Derosier, Coranna's half brother, was also raised as a brother to Irene and her sisters Jeannette and Rita.

Irene spent most of her life in Claremont . She attended Catholic schools in Detroit and St. Johnsbury, Vermont, as well as St. Mary's in Claremont, and graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont in 1934.  She worked at Goddard's Bakery in Claremont, and at the Eagle-Times office, where she helped to report on the famous hurricane of 1938.

She met her husband, Paul Lambert, while he was delivering bread to her home on Grandview Street. They were married on June 26, 1941, and spent 69 years together until Paul's death in 2010.  Irene and Paul lived at Edgewood Circle, later renamed Foster Place, for their entire marriage, except for a brief period during World War II, when Paul was stationed with the US Army in Stewart Field, Newburgh, New York. In Claremont Irene faithfully assisted her husband with her bookkeeping skills for many years, keeping track of his business enterprises that included an oil company, a building supply company, and an auto dealership.

Irene and Paul raised three children, John, Louis, and Marie. In addition to their home in Claremont, the Lamberts built a cottage on Lake Sunapee around 1952, with the help of Paul's father. "The Camp" became the summer gathering place for many family members and friends over the years.

In addition to her husband Paul, Irene was predeceased by her sister Jeannette and her sibling Arthur. She is survived by her sister, Rita Bergeron of Claremont, her sons John and Louis Lambert, both of Charlestown, and her daughter Marie Mason of Plainfield;  grandchildren Martha Maki, Mary Morin, Nina  Lambert, Nick Lambert, Harmony Varnum, and Hannah Rheaume; and great-grandchildren Michelle Holvani, Coranna Maki, Kayla Putnam, Troy Putnam, Emily Putnam, Parker Varnum, Connor Rheaume, and Azure Rheaume.

Friends and family may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Friday evening, December 26^th from 5-8 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Church in Claremont on Saturday, December 27^th at 11 AM with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, officiating.

Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

A reception will be held at the Claremont Senior Center, 5 Acer Heights. 

The family suggests that donations be made in her memory to St. Mary Church, 32 Pearl Street, Claremont, NH 03743.