Irene Dollard Obituary

Irene Marie (Gautreau) Dollard, 95, of Marlborough died Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at The Reservoir Center for Health and Rehabilitation.

Of French-Acadian heritage she was the ninth of sixteen children born in Memramcook, New Brunswick, Canada, to the late Zoel and Josephine (Allain) Gautreau. She was the wife of the late Joseph Leo "Paul" Dollard to whom she was married 55 years until his death in 2020.

In 1959, Irene, who was bilingual in French and English, emigrated to Waltham, MA, with some of her brothers and sisters.

In her adult life, Irene was a home maker, loved to spend her free time sewing, doing needlework and listening to country music from the 60's through the 80's eras.

Frequent weekend and holiday gatherings with family and extended family were a symbol of how close and loving her family was. Summer vacations included visiting family in New Brunswick, Canada, while camping by the ocean on the Gulf of St. Lawrence and later years camping in North Brookfield, MA. She loved birdwatching from her lakefront porch during warm weather and then from her living room window in colder weather. Cardinal pairs were always her favorite to watch.

Irene is survived by her daughters, Joanne Larsen and her husband Arthur of Marlborough, Darlene Dollard of Jacksonville, NC, Nancy Robertson of Kanata, ON Canada, her son, Kevin Jay and his wife Marie of Kimberly, BC Canada, stepdaughters, Debra Payson of Brooksville, FL and Paula Johnston and her husband Michael, her grandchildren, Benjamin Larsen and his wife Rebekah, Todd Larsen and his girlfriend Taylor Bent, Kathryn DeForest, Jacob DeForest, Jennifer DiDonna, Kellie Johnston, Sean Johnson and his wife Emily, John Keane, Steve Robertson and his wife Colleen, Rosalind Jay and Hillary Jay. As well as 12 great-grandchildren and 72 nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours for Irene will be held Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9:30-11:00 am at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc., 40 Pleasant Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home following visiting hours at 11:00am.