Irene J. Thatcher

South Attleboro – Irene J. (Savoy) Thatcher, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 5, 2017.

She had a heart of gold, and everyone who knew her was touched by her kindness and love.

She loved her family very much and always told us how proud she was of us all.

Irene was the beloved wife of the late Chester W.

Born in Pawtucket, a daughter of the late William E.

Savoy, Sr. and Mary E. (Burns) Savoy, she resided in South Attleboro most of her life.

Irene was a longtime communicant of St.

Theresa of the Child Jesus Church where she was involved in the Christian Mother’s group; Women’s Guild; Youth Group and Christmas Bazaar.

She was a volunteer at Stubenville East at LaSalette Shrine; New Hope Shelter for Battered Women and the Attleboro Arc for special needs.

Irene knitted and donated lap afghans to nursing homes; toe socks to fit the ends of foot casts for the Sturdy Memorial Hospital Physical Therapy Department and newborn hats for the Sturdy Maternity Department.

Always willing to help, she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks for outstanding service and contributions to Veterans for her involvement in St.

Theresa’s Knitting Circle, and was also recognized by Sturdy Memorial Hospital Volunteer Services.

Irene truly loved to help others, but most of all, she loved being with her family.

She leaves two daughters, Dianne Higgins and her husband, Kevan, and Donna Kuhn and her husband, Dennis; four grandchildren, Lauren Kuhn, Michael Kuhn, Kevan Higgins and his wife, Erin, and Timothy Higgins; a great-granddaughter, Leah Marie Higgins; several nieces and nephews including, Elaine Forbes and Dianne Edson and several friends.

She was the sister of the late George Savoy, William Savoy, Jr., Margaret Dube, Florence Brillon, Raymond Savoy and James Savoy.

Her funeral will be held Friday at 9 a.m. from WILLIAM W.

TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St.

Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, 18 Baltic St., South Attleboro.

Interment will follow at Newell Burying Ground, South Attleboro.

VISITATION will be Thursday 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904 would be appreciated.