Leona Y. “Tootsie” (Desmarais) Morin

Leona Y. “Tootsie” (Desmarais) Morin, 89, died peacefully on Friday, Apr. 25, 2025 at the Hunt Nursing Home in Nashua surrounded by loving Hunt nurses and family. She was the beloved wife of the late Gerald “Jerry” R. Morin with whom she shared 66 years of marriage prior to his passing on August 30, 2022.

Leona was born in Hudson, New Hampshire on August 16, 1935 and was the daughter of the late Roland and Victoire (Lussier) Desmarais.

In her early years, she worked at Roland’s Variety on Kinsley Street, a diner and convenience store that was owned and operated by her Dad. Later in life after establishing her family, she was employed in the school cafeteria at Ledge Street School and worked at Teradyne for several years until her retirement.

Tootsie was a woman of warmth, creativity, and deep love for her family. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life; sewing dresses for her girls, tending to her floral garden each year, and working on puzzles with her sisters, kids and the many friends and staff at the Hunt. She especially treasured the winter trips she took to Florida with her beloved late husband, Jerry. Tootsie’s kitchen was always filled with the comforting aromas of homecooked meals and baked treats, a reflection of her love and care. Above all, she found her greatest happiness in the company of her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Her kindness, talents, and the love she so freely gave will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her three daughters, Louise Dichard and her husband Thomas of Hudson, Claire St. Lawrence and her husband Tom of Nashua, and Ellen Flanagan and her husband Bill of Peperell, MA; her son, Paul Morin of Nashua; her ten grandchildren, Daniel Dichard and his fiancé Lynn McGrath, Melissa Duval, Kimberly Nickerson and her husband Brian, Patrick Dichard and his wife Emily Plumeau, Ryan St. Lawrence and his wife Kim, AJ St. Lawrence and his wife Danielle, Scott St. Lawrence and his wife Tess, Joseph Morin, Matthew Flanagan and his wife Ashley and Kelly Iovanna and her husband Matthew. She is also survived by her 16 great-grandchildren, Chantal Germain, Tori Dichard, Ethan Dichard, Corey Dichard, Arianna Duval, Alivia Duval, Phoebe Nickerson, Fiona Nickerson, Cameron St. Lawrence, Brooks St. Lawrence, Damian Morin, Rose Morin, Parker Iovanna, Reagan Iovanna, Sloane Flanagan, and Callan Flanagan; her two siblings, Angele “Angie” Bechard and Amedee “Medy” Desmarais; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Lucien “Luke” Desmarais and her sister, Rolande “Rosie” Alain.

At the request of Leona’s family, all services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, by visiting, https://www.alz.org/ or to High Fives Foundation, by visiting, https://highfivesfoundation.org/