Irene Evelyn Villeneuve LamellEssex Center-Irene Evelyn Lamell, 90, Businesswoman from Essex Center passed away peacefully February 20, 2012 at the Halifax Health Hospice in Port Orange, Florida following a short illness.
Irene was born January 23, 1922 in Winooski, Vermont to Richard and Mary Genest Villeneuve. She was one of eleven children.
She was married to her beloved husband and life partner, Richard Lamell. They shared an incredible life journey together. They lived, loved and worked side by side for many years. Their first business was a dairy farm and milk route in Westford, subsequently followed by a salvage yard, in addition to selling and repairing used cars. Business was a venture and adventure for them. In the 1950’s they decided to build a sawmill. In 1962 they moved the sawmill to Essex where Lamell Lumber remains a thriving successful company currently owned and operated by her son Ron Lamell Sr. and Sheila Lamell alongside with her grandsons Ron Lamell Jr. , Keith Lamell, and extended grandson Thomas O’keeffe. A legacy that she was proud to pass on. Upon retirement from the mill and not wishing to remain idle, they sought a new adventure by building and operating an RV Park in Florida. Her drive and determination to succeed will always remain a great inspiration to many.
Although Irene loved her work she also loved her family immensely. She and Richard had three children Frederick John Lamell, Ronald Richard Lamell, and Marion Jane Lamell Dyke. Tragically Frederick passed away in 1959; Marion in 1999 and her cherished husband Richard in 2004. Their deaths were her greatest sorrows in life.
Ron and Sheila blessed her with three grandchildren Ron Lamell Jr., Michele Lamell, and Keith Lamell. Michele is married to Colonel John Ulrich and currently resides in Carlisle, PA... They gave her two wonderful great grandchildren, Chelsea Emma Ulrich and Ethan John Ulrich. Keith is married to Paula Racicot Lamell. They further enriched her life with two amazing great grandsons, Kyle Edward Lamell and Wyatt Maximus Lamell. Marion and Walter Dyke also gave her a grandson, Stephen Van Dyke whom currently resides in California. She was extremely proud of his academic accomplishments. Irene embraced all of these special relationships with great joy and passion.
She also leaves behind a countless number of friends and family, her sister Ruth Combs , the Moffitt family ,the O’keeffe family , Norm and Louise Cyr and family, Donald Richards and Nancy Pecor. The Lamell family sincerely extends a special thank you to all of you not only for enriching her life but for providing love and support to us over the years.
Irene lived a very active and healthy life to the very end. Throughout her life, Irene worked hard, continued to educate herself, and enjoyed spending time with her family. She will be remembered by all as a courageous, strong, intelligent, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and businesswoman.
We are all heartbroken for this great lost and will miss her enormously, but she will remain in our hearts and souls forever!
Please join us to bid her farewell, share precious memories, and celebrate her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday February 27 at 11 AM in St. Pius X Catholic Church in Essex Center. Burial will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery in Fairfax.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Vermont Affiliate, Inc., 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston, VT 05495
Visiting Hours will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the Minor Funeral Home, Route 7 in Milton.
Online condolences may be made at
www.minorfh.com 
