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Official Obituary of

Dr. Doris Thibault, PhD

September 20, 2014
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Dr. Doris Thibault, PhD Obituary

New Bedford - Dr. Doris Thibault, PhD, 89, died Saturday, September 20, 2014 at home.  She was the daughter of the late Romeo and Albina (Belisle) Thibault.
     Born in New Bedford, she lived in Fall River and Freetown for most of her life, before moving back to New Bedford.
     Dr. Thibault was a former sister of St. Joseph, SSJ for 32 years and taught in the parish schools of the Fall River Diocese.
     She received a bachelor's degree from Rivier College in Nashua, NH, a master's degree from Boston College, and her doctorate at Boston University.
     A professor of education, from 1968 - 1990 at UMass Dartmouth, she served as director of the Student-Teacher Certification Program.  She retired from the University as Professor Emeritus.
     She was an active parishioner of St. John Neumann Church since its founding, and served on the building committee.  She was the director of the Faith Formation Program at her parish for many years, and was in charge of the Children's Liturgy of the Word Program.  She also volunteered her time at the summer and fall bazaars of the parish. Doris was a member of the Women's Guild and treasurer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
     She leaves behind 3 sisters, Florence A. Millette of New Bedford, Rita A. Bedard of Dartmouth, and Alice G. Bonneau of New Bedford and Florida; 13 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews; her second family, William Mathieu and wife, Linda and their family, and Diane Figuerado and her family.
     She was pre-deceased by 2 brothers, Albert V. Thibault and Fr. Armand Thibault, S.M.,  a sister, Blanche Madec, and Doris' close friend, Jacqueline Mathieu.
     Visitation will be from 4 - 8 P.M., Friday, Sept. 26 in St. John Neumann Church, 157 Middleboro Rd.,  East Freetown.  Her funeral Mass will be held at 11 A.M., Saturday in the church.  Burial is private.
     The family extends its thanks and appreciation to the Southcoast Oncology Center.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to any breast cancer fund.
     Arrangements are with Machnowski Funeral Home, 472 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford.  For condolences, please visit www.machnowskifuneral.com.







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