Maryann (Hovey) Roussel
With her loving family by her side, Maryann (Hovey) Roussel went to her heavenly home on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Maryann was born in Dracut, Massachusetts, on Feb. 1,1938, to parents Germain (Chenevert) and Stuart Hovey. She attended Dracut schools, graduating from Dracut High School at age 16 in 1954. She then attended D’Youville University in Buffalo, New York, graduating cum laude with a degree in English.
Maryann was an accomplished musician. She was a gifted pianist and organist. As a high school student, she played the organ at St. Michael’s Church in Lowell, Massachusetts. Recently celebrating 64 years of marriage, Maryann and her husband, Paul, met on a visit to UMass Lowell and married in 1958. Maryann taught school for one year before spending the next 25 years raising four amazing and successful children in beautiful New England, where Maryann took great joy in experiencing the four seasons.
Maryann had a passion for the outdoors. She loved cross country skiing, bicycling, swimming, canoeing and going for nature walks. As her children were growing up, they enjoyed vacations throughout New England from Moosehead Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, Ogunquit, Maine, and towns throughout Cape Cod, their favorite location. She and Paul travelled to Europe and Canada, the Canadian Rockies being their favorite destination.
Maryann had a strong love for history. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a descendent of Perigrine White, who was on the Mayflower. She also enjoyed native American history. Maryann balanced all of this excitement with relaxation found as a voracious reader of great literature and Christian books, as well as enjoying classical music, particularly Mozart. The greatest joy of Maryann’s life, though, was spending time with her precious children and grandchildren. She had a natural intuition when it came to interacting with babies and young children, with a special gift for connecting with her grandchildren in simple yet beautiful ways. She took great pride in creating a beautiful home for her family. One of her favorite things to do was to prepare holiday meals for the family, which inspired her children and grandchildren to embrace a love for cooking and inspired a strong tradition of holidays with family.
Maryann’s church family also was an incredibly important part of her life. She loved Jesus and was a devout Christian her entire life. As a member of Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, Maryann brought her passion for music where she sang in the choir. She was involved with Bible studies, women’s groups, senior saints and many other activities. She loved to entertain and enjoyed fellowship with her friends at her beautiful Hollis home around the deck and pool.
She is survived by Paul; daughter, Anne (Michael) Reap; sons, Paul (Debbie) Roussel, Peter (Beth) Roussel and John (Bonnie) Roussel; 11 wonderful grandchildren (with their four spouses); and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Maryann Roussel will be Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, at 4 p.m. at Merrimack Valley Baptist Church, 517 Boston Post Road, Merrimack N.H. 03054. Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maryann Roussel’s memory may be made to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, N.H. 03054, phone 603-882-2941 or online at https://www.hhhc.org/how-to-help/memorial-gifts. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., Dracut, funeral Directors Paul A. Hardy Jr. and Jennifer Hardy. For an online guestbook, visit DRACUTFUNERALHOME.COM and find us on Facebook.