Marlene A. (Shackett) Bouchard

Marlene A. Bouchard Athol - Marlene A. (Shackett) Bouchard, age 69 , of Old Keene Rd., died at Gardner Rehab on March 28 2015, after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family.      Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, June 5 1945, the daughter of Nelson and Lois (Hyde) Shackett and grew up in Orange, graduating from Ralph C. Mahar Regional High School. She attended UMASS Amherst and later attended Greenfield Community College where she received a degree.      On July 27, 1967 she married Robert F. Bouchard of Orange, at the Orange Methodist Church and they have been together for 47 years. She was employed at Union Butterfield Co. in Athol for many years and for a short time was a special needs tutor at Mahar Regional High School. She was a member of the Mahar Field Hockey Team. Marlene was devoted to her family, her children and grandchildren. She spent time planting flowers in the summer and taking care of her house plants. She loved to hike in the Bearsden Conservation area of Athol. She loved reading and enjoyed movies and time on Cape Cod and in Maine. She and her husband traveled across the United States in their camper prior to her becoming ill. She also enjoyed riding her moped. She was the owner of a horse named Champ and was an experienced rider. She enjoyed doing oil paintings and was a member of the National Wildlife Federation. Survivors include her husband Robert Bouchard of Athol, her children Lisa Osborne of Athol and Darren Bouchard of Athol; three grandchildren Jeremy, Allison and Zachary Osborne, all of Athol; a sister Elaine Matthew of Orange and several nieces and nephews. Marlene was predeceased by her parents Lois and Nelson Shackett of Orange, a brother Kenneth Shackett of Athol, and a brother Wayne Shackett of Chicago, Illinois. A time of visiting and sharing memories will be Thursday, April 2, 2015, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol followed by a celebration of life service with the Rev. Robert Girard, chaplain of Beacon Hospice, officiating. The family suggests contributions may be made to: the Athol Animal Shelter, care of the Athol Police Department, 280 Exchange St. Athol, MA 01331 or to the "Dare to Dream" Program, Crimson Acres, 16 Daniel Shays Highway, Orange, MA  01364 or the Beacon Hospice, 36 William Street, Leominster, MA 01453.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com $(document).ready(function(){ });