Beatrice "Bea" (Mawson) Lavoie's Obituary
Beatrice "Bea" (Mawson) Lavoie, age 95, of Salem NH passed away at home on April 30, 2025 with her family by her side. She was the wife of the late William "Bill" Lavoie and the daughter of the late Gordon Mawson and Catherine (Nauiokas) Mawson. She was born in Lawrence MA and moved to Salem with her family when she was in sixth grade. Bea completed her education in Salem schools, graduating from Woodbury High School in 1947. She was then employed in the offices of the Arlington Mill in Lawrence. In 1953 she married William Lavoie and they went on to have five children. Over the years she continued to use her secretarial and bookkeeping skills in a series of paid and volunteer positions, including the office of JM Fields store, typing reports for the Salem Fire Department and serving as secretary of the Woodbury-Salem Alumni Association.
Bea had many interests. She was an avid reader. Poetry and Shakespeare were life-long favorites, and it was common to hear her quoting from these at home. She pursued her interest in Shakespeare by taking Harvard University Extension classes. She enjoyed live theatre and musical performances. Music brought her much pleasure through the years, especially popular songs of WWII, the Big Band era, Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. With her husband Bill she enjoyed ballroom dancing and polka dancing. Bea greatly enjoyed traveling, having made many trips throughout the country to visit family and a memorable trip to Italy with Bill and close friends. Bea also enjoyed crossword puzzles, birdwatching, baking, card games and bingo. She participated in candlepin bowling leagues for many years. Above all, Bea enjoyed hosting gatherings in her home and cookouts at the family camp, as her family and friends meant the world to her. Bea and Bill were active in the fan club of the Sound-a-Bouts polka band, helping to raise money for scholarships. She was an active supporter of community organizations such as the Salem Lions Club, to which Bill belonged. Bea generously supported many local and national non-profit organizations.
She is predeceased by her husband, parents, brothers Joseph Mawson and Robert Mawson, son-in-law Mark McCue, and grandchildren Kelly Lewis and Dustin Deranian. She is survived by her children: Marsha Lavoie and husband Jonathan Logee of Woodstock CT; Cathy Lavoie Griffin and husband Thomas Griffin of Acton MA; Judith Lavoie-McCue and partner Richard Dunkelberger of Lewes DE; Robert Lavoie and wife Beth Bell Lavoie of Windham NH; Stephen Lavoie and wife Eleanor (Quimby) Lavoie of Chester NH; eight grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, eight nieces and nephews, as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
There will be no calling hours. Burial will be private. A celebration of Beatrice’s life will be held at a later date.
Donations in Bea’s memory may be made to the following:
Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Dr., Merrimack, NH 03054
or
Meals on Wheels - Rockingham County 106 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833
or
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St.. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
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