Francis J. Berube, Jr.
Funeral Director
Francis Berube, Jr. started his career in 1974 in the family business, working alongside his father, the late Francis Berube Sr., at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home in Haverhill, MA. He became licensed as a Funeral Director in Massachusetts in 1976 after studying mortuary sciences at the New England School of Applied Arts and Sciences. In 1994, Fran and his wife Charlene established Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, extending his services from Haverhill, to the families of Plaistow and surrounding communities. Married to Charlene for over forty years, they proudly raised 4 children and are now the grandparents of five. Fran’s passion lies in tailoring each service to pay tribute in the most honorable way possible. Those who know Fran know his dedication is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Fran was a former president of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the Plaistow Lions Club. Fran believes in making every experience meaningful, and strives to extend the feeling of comfort to all the families he serves.
Francis J. Berube, Jr.
Funeral Director
Francis Berube, Jr. started his career in 1974 in the family business, working alongside his father, the late Francis Berube Sr., at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home in Haverhill, MA. He became licensed as a Funeral Director in Massachusetts in 1976 after studying mortuary sciences at the New England School of Applied Arts and Sciences. In 1994, Fran and his wife Charlene established Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, extending his services from Haverhill, to the families of Plaistow and surrounding communities. Married to Charlene for over forty years, they proudly raised 4 children and are now the grandparents of five. Fran’s passion lies in tailoring each service to pay tribute in the most honorable way possible. Those who know Fran know his dedication is twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Fran was a former president of the New Hampshire Funeral Directors Association, and a member of the Plaistow Lions Club. Fran believes in making every experience meaningful, and strives to extend the feeling of comfort to all the families he serves.
Charlene Berube
Director of Community Outreach Services
Charlene and her husband Fran and their family moved to Plaistow in 1994 when Fran established Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home. From the time they were married over forty years ago, Charlene has been involved in funeral service while also establishing a career as a nurse educator and clinician. Charlene received her Baccalaureate in Science degree in nursing from St. Anselm College and Master’s Degree in Parent-Child Health Nursing from Boston University. She also completed Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study in Adult and Women’s Health Primary Care Nursing and Health Professions Education from Simmons University. Charlene has been on the faculty at Simmons University for thirty years. The personal and professional values that are a hallmark of her career as a nurse educator also serve as the foundation of her work in funeral service. Charlene embodies the values of altruism, service, inclusiveness and compassion. In keeping with Brookside’s mission to serve the community before, during, and after the funeral, Charlene serves as the Coordinator of Community Outreach.
Charlene Berube
Director of Community Outreach Services
Charlene and her husband Fran and their family moved to Plaistow in 1994 when Fran established Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home. From the time they were married over forty years ago, Charlene has been involved in funeral service while also establishing a career as a nurse educator and clinician. Charlene received her Baccalaureate in Science degree in nursing from St. Anselm College and Master’s Degree in Parent-Child Health Nursing from Boston University. She also completed Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study in Adult and Women’s Health Primary Care Nursing and Health Professions Education from Simmons University. Charlene has been on the faculty at Simmons University for thirty years. The personal and professional values that are a hallmark of her career as a nurse educator also serve as the foundation of her work in funeral service. Charlene embodies the values of altruism, service, inclusiveness and compassion. In keeping with Brookside’s mission to serve the community before, during, and after the funeral, Charlene serves as the Coordinator of Community Outreach.
Sue Ouellete
Office Manager
Sue began her career working in the funeral industry at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, Haverhill, MA, in 1998 as an Administrative Assistant and joined the ranks at Brookside Chapel shortly thereafter. She is the knowledge and brains behind many operations having worked with Fran Berube for twenty-one years. Sue is a kind-hearted person, who brings compassion into all the things she does and won’t rest until all work is complete. She attended Andover Junior College, earning her Associates Degree in Secretarial Sciences. Sue enjoys spending time with her daughter, Erin and son-in-law, Steve, her granddaughter, Madeleine "Maddy", her family, and her adored cat, Dari. In her spare time, she enjoys watching old black and white movies, reading, and is passionate about everything Red Sox!
Sue Ouellete
Office Manager
Sue began her career working in the funeral industry at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, Haverhill, MA, in 1998 as an Administrative Assistant and joined the ranks at Brookside Chapel shortly thereafter. She is the knowledge and brains behind many operations having worked with Fran Berube for twenty-one years. Sue is a kind-hearted person, who brings compassion into all the things she does and won’t rest until all work is complete. She attended Andover Junior College, earning her Associates Degree in Secretarial Sciences. Sue enjoys spending time with her daughter, Erin and son-in-law, Steve, her granddaughter, Madeleine "Maddy", her family, and her adored cat, Dari. In her spare time, she enjoys watching old black and white movies, reading, and is passionate about everything Red Sox!
Rosemary Thuotte
Life Celebration Coordinator
Rosemary has been working at Brookside Chapel as our Life Celebration Coordinator since the of spring 2017. She attended the University of Hartford, graduating with a degree in Dance Education. She is a dedicated mother of 5 grown children and a grandmother to three young. She is a vibrant spirit here at Brookside, often reminiscing with families over pictures and getting a feel for who their loved one was and is a true believer that life should be celebrated. She spent her career teaching dance, and currently teaches at the Nashua, NH Senior Center. A long-time parishioner of All Saints Parish in Haverhill, she’s been a Funeral Altar Server for over 10 years. She is also a former chairman of the Haverhill Arts Commission. Rosemary also provides family with “After-Care”. Rosemary brings sparkle to everything she does and is the heart behind the Life Celebration experience. She is responsible for the little touches to the services, and commits herself to making sure the memory and legacy of those we do services for is felt.
Rosemary Thuotte
Life Celebration Coordinator
Rosemary has been working at Brookside Chapel as our Life Celebration Coordinator since the of spring 2017. She attended the University of Hartford, graduating with a degree in Dance Education. She is a dedicated mother of 5 grown children and a grandmother to three young. She is a vibrant spirit here at Brookside, often reminiscing with families over pictures and getting a feel for who their loved one was and is a true believer that life should be celebrated. She spent her career teaching dance, and currently teaches at the Nashua, NH Senior Center. A long-time parishioner of All Saints Parish in Haverhill, she’s been a Funeral Altar Server for over 10 years. She is also a former chairman of the Haverhill Arts Commission. Rosemary also provides family with “After-Care”. Rosemary brings sparkle to everything she does and is the heart behind the Life Celebration experience. She is responsible for the little touches to the services, and commits herself to making sure the memory and legacy of those we do services for is felt.
Deb Cowan
Bookkeeper
Deb has worked alongside Fran as Brookside’s bookkeeper for the last 9 years. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She is a dedicated wife and mother of two, and often can be seen at the office with her dog, Sophie. Deb is an easy going and compassionate person, often bringing her memorable laugh to those around her.
Deb Cowan
Bookkeeper
Deb has worked alongside Fran as Brookside’s bookkeeper for the last 9 years. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She is a dedicated wife and mother of two, and often can be seen at the office with her dog, Sophie. Deb is an easy going and compassionate person, often bringing her memorable laugh to those around her.
