1921 - 2015
No Vistitation Date Scheduled
No Funeral Date Scheduled
Marie “Hilda” (Casey) Desilets, 93, passed away peacefully in her home at Nashua Crossing, Nashua, NH. She was born in Lawrence on August 29, 1921, to Clifford and Bertha (Beland) Casey and married to the late Gerard A. Desilets, Sr. She was formerly a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in North Chelmsford and Immaculate Conception in Nashua. Throughout her brief illness, she was surrounded and comforted by the love, compassion, and prayers of many family and friends.
As a young woman during WWII, Hilda, like many woman of the time who took on the traditional male professions while men went to war, worked in a Lawrence mill operating a fork lift. When the war ended, she left the work force to marry and raise a family. She and Gerard, her husband of 40 years, lived in Dracut and then later settled in Dunstable. They farmed here, producing food for their family while teaching their children the value of hard work, cooperation, and most importantly, love of family. Later, during the 1970’s Hilda created a successful clothing business where she designed and produced a clothing/accessory line for Bon Marche in Lowell, Jordan Marsh and Filene’s of Boston. After selling her business, she worked for Sears and Roebuck’s catalogue sales department in Lowell, MA, where she excelled in customer service.
Although most of her joy in life came from raising her large family, Hilda embraced the value of volunteerism. She taught square dancing to 4H members, led Brownie/Girl Scout troops, crocheted infant hats for local hospitals, donated her crafts to senior centers, and for nearly 50 years sought out nursing home residents who needed companionship and visited them regularly. She traveled extensively, always ready for a new adventure. Another passion and talent was evident in her flower gardens. She even sought out ways to continue this hobby at her assisted living residence in her 90’s. In the same way Hilda was never very far from flowers, she was never far from music either. Whenever and wherever there was live entertainment and dancing, Hilda would be found in the front row so not to miss a note.
Hilda’s greatest passion was the butterfly. She developed an interest in them while in high school and planted flowers to attract them, used them to decorate her house and gardens, and when one would flutter by, she’d stop to marvel at its beauty. Her family will undoubtedly be reminded of her at each butterfly sighting in their future.
She is survived by her six children and their spouses: Ken and Nancy Desilets of Westford, MA; Elaine and Bob Tyzbir of Fuquay Varina, NC; Gerard and Teresa Desilets of Ashland, NH and The Villages, FL; Jan and Ron Lessard of Nashua, NH, Sheila Smith of Merrimack,NH, and Cindi Connell of N. Chelmsford, MA. She was “Memere” to Laurie Gouley, Michael Desilets, Curtis Desilets, Rachel Desilets Allrich, Kristy Desilets (her birthday buddy), Sarah Desilets Robie, JJ Tzybir, Renee Tyzbir Macneil, Joshua Smith, Ryan Connell, Lindsey Connell, Jeff Lessard, and Jodi Lessard as well as great grandmother to 13 children. Hilda loved all her many nieces and nephews, and her god children, MaryAnn Houghthling of CT. who held a special place in her heart and Mrs. Shirley Hughes. She is also survived by her loving sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Stanley Hughes of Daytona, FL, and Joseph Walter Casey of Hartland, CT., and her sister-in-law Madeline Casey also of Hartford, CT. In addition, she leaves a special friend, Francis Rigg, of Hudson, who was her dance and dinner partner for over 25 years. She was the sister of Joseph Rene Casey of Salem, NH, and Joseph Richard Casey, of E. Hartford, CT.
Visiting hours Thurs. 4 to 7P.M. Funeral Fri. at 8A.M. from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD, with a funeral Mass at 9A.M. at St. John the Evangelist Church. Burial in the Central Cemetery, Dunstable, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Lowell General Hospital. On-line donations can be taken as noted below https://www.lowellgeneral.org/about-us/ways-to-give/donate-online-now
ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.
Laurie Gouley
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I miss you so much already Memere. You will forever be in my heart. I love you to the moon and back. <3
Bob Tyzbir
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My sincerest condolences to my precious wife, Elaine, and her sisters and brothers. Memere was a wonderful second mother to me and a loving grandmother to my children. She was soft and kind, quite and caring, and, most especially, smiling and loving. I will miss her with all of my heart.
Bob
Debbie cohen
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You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kristy Desilets
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So lucky to have had you as my Memere. Thank you for sharing your heart with all of us and letting each of us know how important and special we are. I love you enormously and will miss you always.
Barb and Jerry Dubois
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Our sincere condolences to all of you. Aunt Hilda was a special lady! Love from Jerry and Barb
gerard
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Ode To Mom
Life was good to you, life was fair.
You had motherly love, you had flair
You took care of us in health and with the flu
You gave us life, we are all thankful for you
You listened to our complaints and to our Joy
Your unconditional love for us was your only toy
We will weep for you our dear sweet mother
You were and always be a loving spirit like no other
We laughed with you throughout your many years
Today we cry for everyone a million and one tears
You had a strong spirit and a loving heart
It’s hard to say good bye but now we must part
For there is a bigger plan for your now,
To be a loving angel with a smile not a frown
For ninety-three years you have been around
You have passed, you will no longer make a sound
So, in parting to our loving mother, peace to us and peace to you
We love now, and tomorrow and forever for all that you do
Gloria Hebert
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My deepest sympathies go out to all of you and your family members. Heaven has a very special beautiful new angel. I’m sure she’s still nearby watching over you.
Coni Paquin
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My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
So sorry for your loss.
Coni Paquin
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Jan, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
So sorry for your loss. Always remember you have all those memories to share.
Roland Dubois
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My deepest condolences to the extended family of Aunt Hilda. I will always remember her smiling personality that always made me feel special. She will be missed, but never forgotten!
Patricia dority
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I loved the poem Gerald wrote. I wish I could be with you to help celebrate what looks to be a very full life filled with music and love. I’m sorry for your and your family’s loss Jan. How lucky you were to have such a beautiful ( you look like her) strong, lover of life woman, to teach you. My love and hugs are with you today, my dearer friend. It was an honor to share this with you. I love you, Pati
Patricia dority
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Jan, I am so honored that you shared this journey with me. It sounds like your mom was a beautiful( you look like her), lover of life. You were lucky to be taught by her. I liked Gerard’s poem, and loved that he wanted to share it. Wish I could be there with you, my dear friend, but I will light a candle, to light the way. I love you. Pati
Sandy Billings
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Jan,
My thoughts are with you and your family. So sorry for your loss. May your fond memories lighten your heavy hearts.
Ron Lessard
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I cannot express the sorrow in my heart. Hilda celebrated life to the fullest; raising a beautiful family that provided many grandchildren and great grandchildren who were truly the flowers in her garden.
When you think of butterflys, rain and flowers, remember the love she showered upon us all and know that we will meet again in her heavenly garden one day.
I have and will continue to love my memories of you with all my heart.
Maddy & Bob Rattigan
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Our deepest condolences to you Jan and your family. How lucky you were to have such a wonderful mother! You can now look back at all the great memories and know she is up in heaven looking down upon her wonderful family!
Terry and Jerry Robinson
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We are so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, Elaine. She sounds like an amazing woman. Thinking of you and your family at this time.
Terry and Jerry Robinson
Gerard Desilets
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Ode To Mom
Life was good to you, life was fair.
You had motherly love, you had flair
You took care of us in health and with the flu
You gave us life, we are all thankful for you
You listened to our complaints and to our Joy
Your unconditional love for us was your only toy
We will weep for you our dear sweet mother
You were and always be a loving spirit like no other
We laughed with you throughout your many years
Today we cry for everyone a million and one tears
You had a strong spirit and a loving heart
It’s hard to say good bye but now we must part
For there is a bigger plan for your now,
To be a loving angel with a smile not a frown
For ninety-three years you have been a round
You have passed, you will no longer make a sound
So, in parting to our loving mother, peace to us and peace to you
We love now, and tomorrow and forever for all that you do
Susan Morrison
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Sheila and Josh, My sincere and heartfelt sympathy pours out to you and your family. Though I only met Hilda twice, I feel blessed. Her smile and warm welcome, during my visits to you, stay clear in my memory. You are in my prayers during this most difficult time.
Jan Lessard
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“The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her.” (Author unknown)
Carolyn Beaulieu
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I am so sorry for your loss. It was always good to see Hilda walk through the door. She was such a lovely lady with so much spunk. She was always thinking of others. She touched everyone she met. I will always remember Hilda prompting Francis to sing…naming off tunes to prompt his memory and her smiles when he would break into full song.
Diane Nilsen
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When it was determined that it was not safe for Hilda to drive anymore, I started giving her rides, as needed. Over the past six years she has told me stories of her family, her friends, her travels, her farm. Hilda was a sweet, giving person who enjoyed life to the fullest. I will really miss her and our conversations. Hilda knew the important things in life-love, flowers and dessert. I will miss her laugh and insights into life.
My condolences to all who loved her.
Priscilla Desilets/Deshaies
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Dear Cousins,
So sorry for the death of your mother. My heart is heavy thinking of her. I have many happy memories of Aunt Hilda. One in particular—Your family was visiting at our house (you were all young) I was helping in the kitchen, my mom had baked a cake and nobody could find anything for frosting. Your mom took over, found a can of evaporated milk, whipped it and we had frosting. I was so impressed. Wish we had stayed in contact. Love to all. Priscilla
Duane & Laurie Gouley
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We love you memere. xoxox.
Mary (Doyle) Carleton
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I have fond memories of your Mom, we had many conversations over the years. She was a blessing to everyone in her life. My Prayers are with you all.
Ray & Andrea Coward
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Condolences to the family upon the passing of your Mom & a great lady! Elaine, so glad that we were always included in many of your family gatherings & had the opportunity to meet your Mom. She was a fun lady, very engaging and obviously loved her family very much. You are blessed to have had her so long in your lives.
Our thoughts & prayers to all,
Ray & Andrea Coward
Steven and Janice Macneil
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Elaine and family, so very sad to hear of Hilda’s passing. Even though we only knew her for a short time, we enjoyed our talks with her and could tell she was a very special lady. Take care of each other during this sad and trying time.
Claire Beland
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So sorry for you loss. (Daughter of Edgar & Marie Rose Beland. my aunt Bertha’s brother} I remember visiting your family both in Dracut and in Dunstable. I loved the farm, the flowers and your mother. I learned about her death from Bob & Claire Kennedy at my 50th class reunion. Would have loved to attend her wake and see you all. Again, m condolences, Claire
Claire Beland
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So sorry for you loss. (Daughter of Edgar & Marie Rose Beland. my aunt Bertha’s brother} I remember visiting your family both in Dracut and in Dunstable. I loved the farm, the flowers and your mother. I learned about her death from Bob & Claire Kennedy at my 50th class reunion. Would have loved to attend her wake and see you all. Again, my condolences, Claire