Lorraine Perreault was the kind of person we all strive to be — kind, loving, charitable, loyal and honest.
"Those that didn't have her as a mother, grandmother or sister really missed out on something special. I truly believe she was a living saint. Her presence will always be in our hearts," said her younger brother Lawrence "Larry" Greenwood.
Lorraine M. (Greenwood) Mottram Perreault, 80, formerly of Haverhill and Silver Springs, Fla., died Friday, March 21, in her residence after a brief illness.
"She never let on how sick she was. She was so proud. She didn't want us to see her that way. She had a great smile and a kind word for all until the end," said Brenda A. Norris, her eldest daughter.
Mrs. Perreault was born in Haverhill on Feb. 29, 1928, the eldest of 12 children, to the late George W. and Lorraine R. (Villers) Greenwood. She taught her younger siblings to respect and love those around them and became a second mom to them.
"She was a great example to us kids while growing up. She preached self worth and respect. We all have shortcomings but she never focused on that. She was there for you, good or bad. She taught us how to love. Sacrifice was not a word in her vocabulary. She was the first-born for a reason," said her brother Lawrence.
Mrs. Perreault attended local schools and was a graduate of Haverhill High School. While attending Tilton Middle School, she became one of the school's baton twirlers.
She later married and raised 13 children of her own, teaching them the same values she helped instill in her younger brothers and sisters.
"She told us, 'Don't ever think you're better than anyone else and always try to put yourself in other's shoes.' You could go to her with any problem and talk to her about anything. She knew how to talk to you and exactly what to say," said her daughter, Brenda.
She helped anyone who knocked on her door.
"She could never do enough for you," said her brother Lawrence.
Mrs. Perreault retired after a lifelong career with the city of Haverhill, serving as a secretary to the Haverhill Police Department, various offices in City Hall and ultimately from the Council on Aging.
"Our father left when there were 13 of us. She was so strong and held everyone together. She went out and found work so she could support us. She did a great job raising us," said Brenda, her daughter.
Mrs. Perreault met her second husband, William J. Perreault, when her youngest daughter, Kelly, was only seven months old. They remained together for 42 years, but were married 25 years at the time of her passing.
"Those two were inseparable. She would have been lost without him and I know he's going to be lost without her. He is an amazing man. He loved her so much and is such a great father," her daughter Kelly M. Moses said.
She enjoyed boating and took great pleasure in summers at the beach.
"Every summer on a sunny day, we would all pile into the pickup truck and go to the beach. She absolutely loved it there," her daughter Brenda said.
Mrs. Perreault had family dinners every Sunday and will be most fondly remembered as a beloved wife, loving mother, and cherished memere.
"Her grandchildren worshipped her. She and her grandson Rodney had a really special bond. They were really close because he was her first grandchild," said her daughter Brenda.
She had a big family, but Mrs. Perreault made time for everyone.
"She had so many children, but still had an ear for us siblings," her brother Lawrence said.
She is survived by her husband of 25 years, William J. Perreault; five daughters, Brenda A. Norris and Cheryl L. Gifford, of Atkinson, N.H., Linda J. Mottram of North Hampton, Donna M. Comeau of Bradford and Kelly M. Moses and husband Brian of Haverhill; six sons, Gary A. Mottram, Ronald D. Mottram, William E. Mottram, and Stephen A. Mottram and wife Mary, all of Haverhill, David B. Mottram of Atkinson, N.H., and Michael S. Mottram and wife Shawna of Plaistow, N.H. She leaves five sisters, Joan Lavalley and husband William of Florida, Roberta Vuytowiecz and husband John of New Hampshire, Sandra Grandmaison of Haverhill, Sheila Mendelsohn of Georgetown and Linda Spero of Bradford; three brothers, Robert Greenwood and wife Mary, Lawrence Greenwood and wife Marie, all of Haverhill, and Richard Greenwood and wife Carol of North Carolina. She is survived by 14 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Perreault was predeceased in death by a son, Richard P. Mottram; daughter, Jody L. Mottram; grandson, Rodney A. Norris; two brothers, George and Frederick Greenwood; and a sister, Jeannette Britton.
Arrangements were by Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Rte. 125), Haverhill. Burial followed in St. Joseph Cemetery, Amesbury. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Perreault to the American Heart Association, 1 Union St., No. 301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691.
