HUDSON FALLS – Irene V. Petit, 97, passed away Saturday March 1, 2025, at Fort Hudson Nursing Home with her family at her side.
Born on September 3, 1927, in Lawrence, MA she was the eldest of four children born to Joseph and Albertine (Baron de Lafreniere) Violette.
In 1945 she graduated from St. Theresa’s Parochial school in Methuen, Mass. and went to work the next day for the IRS in Boston, MA. She married Roger J Petit on September 17, 1949, at St Theresa’s Catholic Church in Methuen MA. They were married for 59 years before his death on Oct. 28, 2008.
Family and Catholic faith were very important to Irene and Roger. They had always hoped for many children and completed their family with ten children which included a set of triplets. Early in their marriage home was Manchester, NH and Keene, NH They finally settled in Hudson Falls, NY in 1962. Even though she was still fairly independent at age 93 she agreed to live with her son Chuck and his wife Kim who gave her the utmost care and comfort for 2 1/2 years until she needed care that was beyond what could be given safely at home
She was a longtime communicant of the North American Martyrs Roman Catholic chapel. Along with her husband, Irene was instrumental in bringing the Traditional Latin Mass back to this area. In this endeavor she opened her home to traveling priests just as she had always welcomed children and friends. Never one to sit idly she enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting. She taught her children, and often their friends who happened to be around, such things as how to hang wallpaper, make jam, make maple syrup and garden. She was active in church and school activities and usually had a part time job as well. Some of her many jobs included HF High school lunch program, bookkeeping for Hollister’s Plumbing and Heating, and Hilltop Construction.
She is proudest though of her large family. She is survived by 8 of her 10 children, Marie Purdy, Annette Coriale, Charles Petit (Kim), Michele Ross, Roger Petit (Terry), Denise Hall (Dale),Laurette Murphy (Joseph) and Richard Petit. She is survived also by her sister Rita Lippe and sister-in-law Beatrice Violette, several nieces and nephews. She is grandmother to 46, great grandmother to 65 (several more due soon!) and great, great grandmother to 1.
Irene was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Albertine Violette, her husband Roger J Petit, her daughter Marguerite Petit in August 2020, and son Leo Petit in February 2025. She was also predeceased by her brother Richard Violette, her sister Shirley Violette and brother-in-law Robert Lippe, sons in law Kenneth Purdy and Thomas Ross, her nephew Rick Violette, grandson Aaron Petit and infant great grandchildren Benedict, Mia and Evie.
Friends may call Friday March 14 from 4-6 pm at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A Requium Mass will be offered Saturday March 15 at 11 AM at the North American Martyrs Chapel on the Boulevard Hudson Falls, NY.
We are extremely grateful to the staff of Fort Hudson Nursing Home for the wonderful, compassionate care given to Irene for the last 2 years. They truly became like family.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations may be made in Irene’s name to the Fort Hudson Nursing Home 319 Broadway Fort Edward NY 12828 or the North American Martyrs Chapel PO Box 334 Hudson Falls NY 12839.