Louise T. Fortin of West Townsend

West Townsend--Louise T. (DeLisle) Fortin, 93, former longtime resident of West Townsend, passed away Friday morning, November 15, 2024 in UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Leominster Hospital. Louise was born in Fitchburg, on February 26, 1931, a daughter of the late Antonio and Eva (Verroneau) DeLisle. She was a graduate of St. Ann’s Academy and the St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing. Louise worked throughout her career as a school nurse in the North Middlesex Regional School District and later at the Peter Fitzpatrick Elementary School in Pepperell. Louise leaves her husband of 67 years, Auguste H. “Hirk“ Fortin, Jr. of Groton; four sons, Dr. Auguste H. Fortin, VI and his wife Oi, of New Haven, CT, Michel G. Fortin and his wife, Amy Slawson-Fortin of Madison, CT, Robert L. Fortin, and his wife, Paula of Hingham, MA, and Marc A. Fortin of New Ipswich, NH; a daughter, Eva Marie Smith and her husband, Donald of Seminole, FL; brother, Dr. Gerard DeLisle of Newburyport; a sister, Lucie Hastings of Lunenburg; eight grandchildren, A. Clayton Slawson, Sarah Soifert, Hillary Fortin, Cecily Smith, Julia Smith, Camille Fortin, Zachary Fortin, and Isabella Fortin; four great grandchildren, Mason Soifert, Milo Soifert, Zuriya Davila and Kade Black, and many nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by a brother, Dr. Paul DeLisle and sister Jacqueline Dumont. She was a faithful parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Church in Townsend. Raising her five children and caring for her husband were the joys of her life. Known as “The Iron Duke” by Hirk, she managed to keep their brood mostly out of trouble. The family enjoyed many camping adventures in their converted school bus, The ColumBus. In retirement, she and Hirk toured 48 states in their Winnebago and flew to Alaska and Hawaii to round it out. Later in life she doted on her grandchildren and reveled in news about her great grandchildren, who live at a distance. Louise was immensely proud of every generation of her family; she would habitually corner the unsuspecting and list everyone’s accomplishments. Louise and Hirk were recipients of the Archdiocese of Boston Cheverus Award for their service to the Church and God’s people. The couple were also awarded the William E. May Endowment Fund Award for their contributions to the town of Townsend. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 21, at 1 PM in St. John the Evangelist Church, 1 School St., Townsend followed by a burial in the Riverside Cemetery in West Townsend. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, November 20, from 4 to 7 PM in the T.J. Anderson & Son Funeral Home, 250 Main St., Townsend. www.andersonfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Townsend Ecumenical Outreach: https://teo-ma.org/

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Louise T. Fortin of West Townsend

February 26, 1931 - November 15, 2024