Jeannette M. LaRoche

Jeannette M. (Richard) LaRoche, 96, of Sterling, formerly of Gardner, died peacefully Sunday, February 9, 2025, in UMass Memorial HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster, after a period of declining health with her family by her side. 

Born in Gardner on July 23, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Rose (Pietre) Richard. She was a laborer employed by Digital Equipment Corporation of Westminster for many years until her retirement. 

Jeannette was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish of Gardner, practicing at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. She loved to travel—having taken trips to Greece, California, Canada, and spending two weeks every summer at the beach. Jeannette enjoyed taking trips down to the casino, bowling, playing cards and cribbage. Jeannette’s greatest love and treasure was her family, enjoying the time spent together, especially attending her grandchildren's sporting events. 

Jeannette is survived by her three daughters, Nancy Allard of Westminster, Suzanne Janhunen and her husband Warren of Florida and Ann Barus of Gardner; a son, David LaRoche of Gardner; seven grandchildren, Christine Bourgeois, Robert Allard, Christopher Stone, Warren Janhunen Jr., David LaRoche Jr., Kayla LaRoche, and Sara Barus; several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

She was predeceased by two grandchildren, Erin Barus, and Tara LaRoche; and her siblings, Rita Howard, Leo, Herve, Ray, William and Phil Richard. 

Funeral Services will be held Monday, February 17, 2025, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 12:00 p.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, will be held at a later date. 

Calling Hours will be held Monday, February 17, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or on their website at (www.stjude.org) or to Annunciation Parish, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Jeannette M. LaRoche.