Yvonne R. Arlequeeuw's Obituary
Yvonne R. Arlequeeuw, 88, of Lawrence, passed away on October 17, 2025, at Lawrence General Hospital, surrounded by her children.
She was born on October 29, 1936, to Simeon and Marion Lemay in Lowell, MA, and graduated from St. Jean d’Arc High School, Class of 1954. At 5 feet tall she was the fearless captain of her high school basketball team.
Throughout her life, Yvonne worked at Blue Bonnet Shoe and the IRS, and each year, she volunteered at the polls on Prospect Hill.
Yvonne met and married the love of her life, Willy Arlequeeuw, in Lawrence, MA, where they lovingly raised five children together. Married for 55 years, Yvonne remained devoted to her beloved husband, Willy, both during his life and after his passing in 2012.
Growing up in a large family with four siblings of her own, she was always prepared for family gatherings or reunions. Her nieces and nephews adored being in her company, as she brought joy and kindness to everyone she encountered. She truly never met a stranger.
In her youth, she enjoyed playing both the piano and the harmonica. In her later years, she picked up the guitar (self-taught) and the nose harp - if you know, you know - relishing family gatherings filled with singalongs. Whether by the shores of her brother's lake house in Canaan, Vermont, or in the cozy living room of her family home, these moments were cherished.
She enjoyed beach gatherings with a close-knit group of “8” and the timeless stories they shared. Little Squam Lake in New Hampshire was one of her favorite spots to enjoy moments with Willy and friends. Her passion for travel led them to numerous destinations, including Canada, where her family originated, and Belgium, where she treasured the time spent with Willy’s cousins.
She was a formidable opponent in family games, and no one dared to challenge her at Scrabble. Her passion for card games was evident, as she enjoyed playing Uno, 45s, Po-ke-no, but her favorite was undoubtedly Crick Crack.
Above all, her love for family stood paramount. She and Willy lovingly raised and nurtured five children: Linda Conway (Brian Thompson) from Hudson, NH; Diane and her husband Barry Mackin from Atkinson, NH; her late daughter Valerie, who was married to Edward Earnshaw of Londonderry, NH; Glenn Arlequeeuw from Lawrence, MA; and Michelle Arlequeeuw from Cincinnati, OH.
She was the world’s best grandmother to Casey Conway & Elizabeth, Mallory Conway, Joshua Mackin & Erin, Kiley Mackin, and Arianna Earnshaw. She was known and loved as GiGi to Sophia, Keira, and Liam Conway. She is predeceased by Her sisters: Flora Hubin, Claire King, Simone McLaughlin Brother: Norman Lemay and his wife, Hilda also Sister-in-law: Linda Desjardins
She loved spending time with her grand-dog, Brutus and giving him plenty of treats. She loved nothing more than feeding the ones she loved!
She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews and her Godchildren, Susan Stanley, Jeffrey Desrosiers, and Scott Janulewicz.
The friends she made were friends for life. A special thank you from the family to Terrance Schiavone, Rita Janulewicz, and the late Maurice & Rose Desrosiers for their love and dedication to Yvonne through the years.
To anyone reading this thinking it’s a long send-off, it’s nothing compared to a “Lemay Goodbye!”
Friends may call on Friday, October 24th, from 4 pm to 7 pm at the John Breen Funeral Home, 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, MA 01845.
Yvonne was a devout Catholic and a parishioner at St. Michael’s, North Andover, MA, where a funeral mass will take place on Saturday, October 25th at 10:00 am, and a burial will follow at Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
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