Lona St. Cyr Abare, 83, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. She lost a long battle with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Over the last several years she moved from her home in Boxford to Haverhill Crossings in Haverhill.
Lona was born Jan. 13, 1934 in Lynn, the daughter of Leo and Alliette (Plourde) St. Cyr. Lona graduated from St. Jean de Baptist in West Lynn in 1952. Later, she graduated from Salem Teacher’s College in 1956, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Lona was married to Jack Abare, her beloved husband of 60 years on Aug. 11, 1956, in Lynn at St. Jean de Baptist Church.
Lona taught at Northfield High School in Northfield, Vt., from 1956 to 1957. In addition, Lona owned and managed an upscale hair salon in Topsfield in the 1980s. Lona will be remembered as a faithful and altruistic person. Lona will also be remembered as a person that gave considerable time and energy to helping people less fortunate. As a religious person, Lona contributed significant time to teaching CCD to children. In addition, Lona was active at St. Mary’s Church in Georgetown for many years. Some of her interests included rearing Arabian horses, cooking, gardening and swimming. As a person who was avid at raising horses, Lona became a member of the 4-H club in Boxford. Some of her gardening and horse rearing occurred at her beloved farm, Sugar Hill Farm in Northfield, Vt. She was a true partner to her husband Jack in hosting and sponsoring parties for his alma mater, Norwich University. The partnership of Jack and Lona continues to be well known in the Norwich University Community for its dedicated philanthropy.
Survivors include her husband, Jack Abare of Salem, N.H., her son, John Abare and his wife Denita of Reno, Nev., her son Paul Abare of Northfield, Vt., her son David Abare and his wife Kimberly of Salem, N.H., and her son Mark Abare of Haverhill. She also leaves behind her brother Robert St. Cyr of Milford, N.H., her brother Normand St. Cyr of Danvers, her brother Richard St. Cyr of Manchester, N.H., and her sister Rita Surette of Reading, Mass. In addition, Lona leaves behind seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. The seven grandchildren include Samantha Austin, Tabitha Smith, Vanessa Abare, Rachel Abare, James P. Abare, David Abare, and Garrett Abare. The four great-grandchildren include, Mika Austin, Kelton Austin, Lennox Delano, and Nickolas Delano.
Service information: Family and friends are cordially invited to attend her funeral Mass on Monday, March 13 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Andover Street, Georgetown. Interment will be held at the Norwich University Cemetery, Northfield, Vt., at a later date. Calling Hours will be held on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. in the CONTE-GIAMBERARDINO Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant St., Georgetown. For those who wish, Lona may be remembered through donations to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 3152 Little Road, Suite 146, Trinity, FL 34655 or www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
For funeral home directions, florists or accommodations, please visit Cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com.
