Irene Mabel Donahue

Irene grew up with four siblings within a larger extended family property, attending Manchester High School and actively participating in the 4H Club. Her 4H focus varied from horseback riding to formal gown, dressmaking. Having been born during the great depression her parents engrained self-sufficiency, agriculture, community collaboration and a significant appreciation for the simple things in life. As an adult, she combined those skills with her innate talents to secure positions with New Hampshire Insurance, Schonland’s, Member’s First Credit Union, and the Manchester Airport, among others. She drew a lot of joy and dedication from those with which she worked. Many became lifelong friends. During her semi-retirement she fulfilled her lifelong goal of working within the travel industry. At the Manchester Airport she worked alongside her sister and brother n law, Merle and Edward Norman. She also made many new long-term friends and promoted excitement for those who were flying out.

She married the love of her life, James Donahue who worked career long with the City of Manchester. They raised two children surrounded by close extended family while cultivating the love of extended family, animals and the land. Both she and her husband were immersed in the infrastructure that maintained the city and dedicated to serve city workers and their families. Throughout, they were very appreciative of the conditions in which they were raised and their family prospered.

Throughout Irene’s life, she was happiest when with extended family, friends and peers. She reveled in the many novel opportunities to celebrate life via a girls luncheon, the weekend, St. Patrick’s Day or her dream family vacation in Hawaii. She was always ready to go on to the next adventure. We prefer to believe that she is now reunited with her husband, parents, grandparents, sisters, nieces and friends who predeceased her. What an incredible adventure that must be.

She was survived by her children Colleen MacRae and Jeff Donahue, their dedicated spouses Scott MacRae and Vicki Hull, granddaughters Adaya and Anya MacRae; her sister Norma Jordan and brother Cecil Jordan, her nieces Kelly Cote, Cathy Horton, Sally Poulin, Lee Rivard and nephews John Donahue and Keith Jordan as well as many cousins.

Calling hours for Irene will be held on Friday February 7th, from 4pm to 6:30pm at the McHugh Funeral Home, 283 Hanover Street Manchester, NH 03103.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring at a later date.