Louise M. Frei

Louise M. (Robichaud) Frei of Gardner died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the age of 94 after a long and happy life.

Born in Gardner on January 10, 1929,  Louise was the daughter of the late Donat and Mary Jane (LeBlanc) Robichaud. She graduated from Gardner High School in 1948 and trained to become a Registered Nurse at the Heywood Nursing School, graduating in 1951. After several years working at Heywood Hospital, Louise traveled the world as a flight nurse for Seaboard and Western Airlines.

Louise married her beloved late husband in 1957 and spent a year and a half living with his family in Zürich, Switzerland before eventually moving back to her hometown. During her time in Switzerland she became fluent in German. After devoting 12 years to her nursing career, she returned home to lovingly raise her family.

Louise was a life-long parishioner of Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner. In addition to volunteering with the Girl Scouts, she loved traveling with her husband, playing tennis, scrapbooking, doing puzzles, sewing, and listening to classical music. She especially enjoyed sitting on her porch and birdwatching. She loved spending time with her dear life-long friends, “The Busy Bees,” and cherished her time with her seven grandchildren.

Her family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the dedicated caregivers who lovingly cared for  Louise in her final years.

Louise is survived by her two daughters, Ann Frei McLaughlin and her husband David of Amherst, and Christine Frei Drum and her husband Kelly of Fort Lauderdale, FL; seven grandchildren, Kathleen, Caroline and Elizabeth McLaughlin, and Clark, Olivia, Sophie and Cole Drum; her sister Trudy St. Clair of Colorado; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Dr. Max Frei, who died on March 25, 2019.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, with a Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial at Notre Dame Cemetery, West Street, Gardner, MA, will be held at a later date.

A Calling Hour will be held Friday, August 25, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Annunciation Parish, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Louise M. Frei.