Rena D. Bastarache

Age 95 of Lynn, entered into her Heavenly home with her family by her side on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. She was born in Salem on April 8, 1923 the daughter of the late, Arthur and Ida (Plourde) Bedard. She was raised in Lynn and attended St. Jean-Baptiste High School. Rena had worked at GE during the war years as well as at Barnett Leather Factory in Lynn and in the cafeteria at St. Jean School. Rena loved being a home maker and https://admin.mem.com/sso/newde/7838233#contententry/generalinfotaking care of her growing family. She was a great cook and an even better baker. Rena was a devout Catholic who attended the 7 AM Mass every day for decades. Rena was very devoted to her husband, Donald, especially after he returned from the war in Europe having sustained severe physical injuries. She was also very creative and was known to make fine needlework pieces over the years. Rena loved to go shopping with her daughter to find the perfect bargain. As a younger woman, Rena enjoyed going to play BINGO with her sisters and making puzzles. She loved her grandchildren very much and enjoyed spending time with them or minding them when she could. Rena’s family would like to take the opportunity to thank those friends and family who gave generously of their time to care for and provide much appreciated companionship for their mother over the years. To Peg Simpson, Ruth Lizotte, Lisa Morin Plante, Betty DiScipio, Cathy Davis, Peggy Conway and Linda Shirley, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Rena was predeceased by her husband, Donald Bastarache. She is survived by her children; Donald F. Bastarache and his wife, Susan of Lynn, Raymond A. Bastarache and his wife, Mackie of Lynn, Robert P. Bastarache of Omaha, NB, Paul J. Bastarache and his wife, Corinne of Derry, NH and Louise A. Hasselstrom and her husband, Everett of Canandaigua, NY. Her brothers, Roland and Henry Bedard. Eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews also survive her. Rena was also predeceased by her brothers, Lucien and Louis Bedard and her sisters; Lucille Melanson, Rita D’Entremont, Muriel Kennedy-Fallon, Bertha Sweeney and Irene Despres.

Family and friends are invited to attend Mrs. Bastarache’s visiting on Friday, May 4, 2018 from 3 – 7 PM at Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple Street, Lynn, MA 01904. Her funeral will begin at 8 AM on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9 AM at St. Pius V Church, 215 Maple Street in Lynn. Burial will follow the Mass in St. Jean’s Cemetery on Broadway in Lynn. Donations are requested to either of the following: Autism Speaks, 1 East 33rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016 or to Asperger’s Association of New England, Inc., 51 Water Street, Suite 206, Watertown, MA 02472.