Ms. Margaret "Meg" Lemire-Berthel

Margaret “Meg” Lemire-Berthel Retired Director of Oncology Social Work Lowell General Hospital LOWELL—Margaret “Meg” (Robillard) Lemire-Berthel, 68 passed away peacefully on Friday, August 2, 2024, following a brief illness. She was 68 years old. Meg was the beloved wife of the late Fredrick “Fred” Berthel who passed away in 2020. Meg was born in Lowell on September 11, 1955, a daughter of the late Francis and Thelma (Wells) Robillard. She attended the Lowell Schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School. She was a parishioner of the former Sacred Heart Church. Meg received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human services and social work from Springfield College. She began her professional career in Lawrence at Elder Services of Merrimack Valley, before transferring to Lowell General Hospital on February 5, 1990. Meg first worked in the Emergency Department. She then was offered the position of running the social services in the newly established Lowell General Hospital Cancer Center. Meg was the facilitator of many Oncology support groups, to name a few, Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer support groups. She was a founding member of the Lowell General Hospital Team Walk for Cancer Care Advisory Committee. Breast Cancer awareness groups include Support the Girls Campaign at LGH. Meg was honored with countless award for her work in the community, including Salute to Woman that honors heroes that get the work done, the D’Youville Lasting Impressions Award, the Nancy Achin Sullivan Award and the Sandra Lebaree Award. She was also active with the Lowell General Woman’s Auxiliary. In 2008, Meg had an idea to promote breast cancer awareness: turn bras into purses. Patients and friends were invited to decorate 25 pieces. They went on display at the Chelmsford Center for the Arts. This local show got so much attention, it went on the road, nationwide, for two years, gaining recognition and raising awareness. Says Meg about another project she was involved with at the Pheasant Lane Mall in neighboring Nashua, NH, “you’ve got to be creative to get people’s attention.” She was referring to a 20 ft. long 8 ft. wide super colon model, that raised awareness for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Meg was known for a mix of humor, smarts and compassion for aligning cancer sufferers and their families with oncology support services. As a former patient and friend of Meg once said about her, she had no idea the impact she had on other people’s lives. People adored her and could feel her compassion for them. Meg was truly a person who made a difference. Meg is survived by her partner, Buddy Boisvert, her daughter Christine Obera, her son James “Jay” Obera and his partner Juscinta Jones; her step children, David Berthel and Keneth Berthel; Buddy’s daughter Kristina Boisvert; her grandchildren, Tyler Rollins, Klye Rollins, and Devin Rollins, and step grandchildren, Derek Berthel, Sarah Moses, Brett Berthel, Shaun Berthel, Scott Berthel, and great grandchild Noelle Berthel; her siblings, Norman Robillard and his wife Maria, Alan Robillard and his wife Sandra; her brother-in-law, Jay Rivera; her nieces and nephew, Regan Robillard, Genevieve Robillard and Anthony Kuhn, Arielle Rivera, and Dominique “Nikki” Rivera; and many dear friends, including Joe and Kate McDonough. Meg was the sister of the late Gail Robillard Rivera and Wayne Robillard, and step mother of the late Scott Berthel. FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 105 MOORE STREET, LOWELL ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024 FROM 4 UNTIL 7 PM. MEG’S FUNERAL WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY MORNING AT 9 AM FROM THE FUNERAL HOME, FOLLOWED BY HER FUNERAL MASS AT 10 AM AT THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 144 EAST MERRIMACK ST. LOWELL. BURIAL WILL BE PRIVATE. AS AN EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY, DONATIONS IN MEG’S MEMORY MAY BE MADE TO TEAM WALK FOR CANCER CARE, LOWELL GENERAL HOSPITAL, 395 VARNUM AVE. LOWELL, MA 01854. ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FAY McCABE FUNERAL DIRECTORS 978-459-9222 www.faymccabe.com

Ms. Margaret "Meg" Lemire-Berthel

September 11, 1955 - August 2, 2024