Ann Marie Lachance

Ann Lachance, 91, of Manchester, NH, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, in the city where she was born and spent her love-filled life. Ann was adored by her family and entertained anyone lucky enough to sit next to her at a gathering. She was a deeply kind person and a wryly funny storyteller. The world will be a bit less colorful without her.

Born on December 11, 1933, in Manchester, Ann lost her parents early in life and grew up alongside her older twin sisters Mary and Margaret. In 1953, Ann married Raymond Lachance. They built their own home together and had three daughters, Lynda, Judi and Beth. With Ray’s parents across the street and his brother’s family next door, the neighborhood was replete with Lachance children playing in the yards and attending St. Catherine’s School together.

Ann’s work life began at the Telephone Company where she later returned after raising her children. Serving as secretary for the Diocese of Manchester, she moved on to office management for Camp Bernadette for many years. Always a dedicated volunteer, she lent her compassionate spirit to the American Red Cross, the Elliot Hospital, and the Girl Scouts.

As a young mom Ann was an accomplished crafter and seamstress, sewing most of her daughters’ holiday dresses. Her skill in the kitchen was equally inspired—cream puffs, lemon meringue pies and hermit cookies were favorites. Her signature kitchen-sink cookies and angel food peep cake are legendary. Every family trip to Stowe VT was fueled by a giant pot of her secret recipe stew. Ann found joy in reading, listening to Broadway musical soundtracks of the 1960s, hosting her Irish aunties for rousing games of Michigan rummy, and spending laughter filled hours with her sisters and closest friend, Janice Hobbs.

Ann loved an adventure and would take her young daughters out of school early each June to spend a week at Hampton Beach with her sister Margaret. She enjoyed traveling, skiing, helping at Judi’s horse shows and sailing Lake Massabesic with Ray and their girls, always with a well packed picnic on board.

Ann’s strength was profoundly tested when she lost Ray in a tragic car accident when she was only 47. In time, becoming a grandmother gave her new purpose in helping to raise her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. As Mimi, she was always eager to zip to Deerfield and Candia to help her daughters care for the kids. Each grandchild has a trove of special Mimi memories. She had an open-door policy for her grandchildren and their friends who often stayed the night at her home. She connected deeply with each young family member, including her sister Mary’s children. At times, her unintended group Facetime chats even reached out to the entire family network.

Family members include her daughters, Lynda (James) Truncellito, Judith (Mark) Neville, and Elizabeth (Constantinos*) Mokas; her grand and great grandchildren, Kristen (Patrick) Houghton & Margaret, Timothy (Rachel) Truncellito, Emily (Justin) Veverka & Bennett & Hazel, Meredith (Paul) Ardagna & Owen & Brandon, George Andrew (Sabina) Mokas, Elias Mokas and Anna Mokas; her husband, Raymond Lachance*; her parents, Omar Boissoneault* and Anna Riley*, her sisters Mary Prince and Margaret Boissoneault*; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many dear nieces and nephews. *Predeceased

Ann’s legacy is evident in her family’s close-knit relationships. Her warmth and compassion bound generations; her stories, wit, and caring presence will be deeply missed.

Her family is forever grateful to the staff at Mount Carmel Nursing Home. All of her nurses, aides and the administrators were skillful, attentive and caring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children by link provided below.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lambert Funeral Home in Manchester, NH. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena on Thursday, September 25, at 10:30 a.m. All who knew Ann are welcome to join the family’s celebration of her life.