Irene (Whitney) McAlpine

Irene (Whitney) McAlpine, 71, of Pepperell, Massachusetts, passed away on October 27, 2026, at UMass Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by her immediate family. She was born in Boston on October 5, 1955, a daughter of the late Francis and Bernadette (McHugh) Whitney.

Irene spent her early years in Dorchester and graduated from Randolph High School. She worked for many years as an electronics assembler for Cobham/Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems before retiring in 2022.

Irene found happiness in the simple things she loved most: tending to her garden, shopping, decorating, watching HGTV, and making memories with her family. She especially cherished family trips to Cape Cod, where enjoying fresh seafood and time together were among her favorite traditions. She also shared a special bond with her beloved 14-year-old chocolate Lab, Cooper, who was truly the best chocolate Lab and a cherished part of her family. Above all, family was at the heart of Irene’s life, and the memories made with those she loved will be treasured always.

Irene is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas McAlpine of Pepperell; her son, Colin McAlpine, and his wife, Susan, of Lunenburg; and her seven cherished grandchildren, Madeline, Ellie, Olivia, Natalie, Ava, Aubrey, and Sophia.

She is also survived by her siblings, Donna Whitney of Norwood, MA; Bernadette Whitney of Falmouth, MA; Paul Whitney and his wife, Dodie, of Holbrook, MA; Bryan Whitney and his wife, Susan, of Sandwich, MA; Jean Vasconcelos and her husband, Joseph, of Halifax, MA; Patrick Whitney and his wife, Nancy, of Hampstead, NH; and Julie Finnegan and her husband, Michael, of Portsmouth, RI; as well as her in-laws, Madeline “Sissy” Bartlett and Robert McAlpine.

In addition to her parents, Irene was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Kerry (McAlpine) Taylor; her mother-in-law, Madeline “Mid” McAlpine; her brother, Richard Whitney; and her brother-in-law, George McAlpine.

McALPINE – Irene (Whitney), of Pepperell, Massachusetts, passed away October 27, 2026. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday, November 7th, at McGaffigan Funeral Home, 37 Main Street (Route 113), Pepperell, MA, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., concluding with family remarks. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund.