Obituaries published Aug. 4
Obituaries were reported for: Christine Bryan, 48, of Central Falls, R.I.; Irene Farretta, 78, of Eastham; Frances St. Pierre, 85, of South Attleboro; Doris Thomas, 67, of South Attleboro and Joan Embree, 72, of Wrentham
Christine Bryan, 48
CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. – Christine T. Bryan, 48, of Darling Street, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 in Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket. She was the wife of Douglas Bryan of Riverside, R.I.
Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, she was the daughter of Charles Blais of Deauville, Quebec, Canada and the late Annette (Cote) Blais.
Mrs. Bryan was a sales associate for Wal-Mart store 2366 of North Attleboro for five years. She was previously employed by the Schoolhouse Candy Co. of Central Falls, R.I., for 20 years.
Besides her husband and father, she leaves three brothers, Michel Blais and Yvon Blais of Central Falls, and Claude Blais of St. Elie, Quebec, Canada.
Her funeral services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the J.J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road (Route 122), Cumberland, R.I. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For directions and the guestbook, visit www.jjduffyfuneralhome.com.
Irene Faretta, 78
EASTHAM – Irene G. Farretta of Eastham, formerly of Walpole, 78, passed away Aug. 2, 2007 at her home with her family by her side after a long and courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
Irene loved to work outdoors and before her illness she spent long hours tending to her beautiful gardens and fruit trees.
When she was no longer able to be outdoors, she spent her times solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles.
Irene is survived by her six children: Karen Shea and her husband Kevin of North Attleboro, Rene Milbury of Florida, Tony Farretta and his wife Robin of Florida, Dennis Farretta and his wife Jodi of Florida, Catherine Darling of New Hampshire, and Martine Miner of North Attleboro; and she was the loving and devoted grandmother to 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was also ex-wife of the late Anthony Farretta.
Upon her request, there will be no services.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O.Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Cape Cod Inc., 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks for the support and assistance provided by these two organizations during their mother’s illness.
Also, special thanks to her many friends who visited often, and helped her keep her spirits high.
Arrangements are by Nickerson Funeral Home of Orleans, 508-255-0259.
Doris Thomas, 67
Retired Texas Instruments employee
ATTLEBORO – Doris Mary Thomas, 67, of Bacon Street, South Attleboro, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, died peacefully on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007 at home.
She was the beloved wife of 49 years of Roy M. Thomas.
Born in the Hebronville section of Attleboro on Nov. 11, 1939, Mrs. Thomas was a daughter of the late Arthur and Theresa (Kane) Desrosiers.
She was raised in Hebronville, and was educated in the Attleboro public schools.
Doris was employed for over 20 years as an assembler at Texas Instruments in Attleboro, retiring in 1998.
An avid bowler, Mrs. Thomas also enjoyed the beach and watching drag racing at Epping, N.H.
She enjoyed her family and raising her children and in later years enjoyed the company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to her beloved husband, Roy, Mrs. Thomas is survived by a son, Jeff Roy Thomas of Warwick, R.I.; two daughters, Patricia “Pat” Thomas of Warwick and Sheila Mary Grenon of Seekonk; a brother, Robert Desrosiers of Norton.
She was the grandmother of Beth Houle, Jen Grenon, Sarah Grenon, Brandi Thomas and Hayley Thomas; and four great-grandchildren.
She was the beloved sister of the late Arthur Desrosiers Jr.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck St., Attleboro.
A funeral service will be conducted on Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at 10 a.m. in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home by the Rev. Robert G. Middleton Jr., pastor of the First Baptist Church in North Attleboro. Burial will be private.
An online guest book for family and friends to express condolences and additional information may be found at www.duffy-poule.com.
Frances St. Pierre, 85
ATTLEBORO – Frances P. St. Pierre, 85, of Lancelot Drive, South Attleboro, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007 at the Golden Living Center in Attleboro.
She was the devoted wife of Donat St. Pierre, to whom she was married to on May 12, 1968, and the beloved wife of the late Thomas Russell Watson, who died in 1967.
Born in North Carolina on Dec. 24, 1921, she was a daughter of the late David and Lucy Privett.
Frances and Donat resided in Norton for 31 years, moving to Sandcastle Estates in South Attleboro in 1999.
Frances was a true southern lady who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
She was well known for her excellent southern cooking and baking, which she shared with family and neighbors.
Holidays were her time to shine, as she cooked and decorated with pride.
Frances was a member of the American Diabetes Association and the A.A.R.P.
Frances and Donat were communicants of both the Chartley Methodist Church and St. Mary’s Church in Norton before moving to South Attleboro and becoming members of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church.
In addition to her beloved husband, Donat, Mrs. St. Pierre is survived by four stepsons: Daniel St. Pierre and his wife Claudia, Steven St. Pierre and his partner Michelle Melsbach, Richard St. Pierre and his wife Sandi, and George St. Pierre and his wife Anna Mae; a daughter, Yvonne Wright and her husband Richard Capadona; a son, Charles Watson and his wife Arlene; and a daughter-in-law, Rose Watson.
Mrs. St. Pierre is also survived by 18 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; a brother, Blandy Privett and his wife Mildred; and a sister, Ann and her husband Darryl.
She was the beloved mother of the late Thomas Watson, and the sister of the late Buck Privett and Roseanna Privett.
Family and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck St., Attleboro.
A funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 at 1 p.m. in the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home. Mrs. St. Pierre will be laid to rest in Cedar Knoll Cemetery, Staples Street, Taunton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her memory may be made to: The American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. An online guest book for family and friends to express condolences and additional information may be found at www.duffy-poule.com.
Joan v. Embree, 72
Retired town clerk of Wrentham
WRENTHAM – Joan Virginia (Starr) Embree, of Wrentham, where she has lived for 46 years, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007.
Born in Boston on May 30, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Mary (Ford) Starr.
She was raised in East Dedham and was a graduate of Dedham High School.
The wife of the late Paul F. Embree, who died in 1973, she began her career with the Town of Wrentham as a senior clerk and eventually was elected the town clerk in 1986. She retired in 1995 after three terms.
During her tenure, she was an active member of many committees: Burial Agent, Bylaw Study Commission, Microfilm Study Commission, Board of Registrars, and the Ad Hoc Committee to review structure of town government and town computers. She was also a justice of the peace.
During her retirement years, she had various part-time jobs. She worked at the Community of Pond Meadows in Wrentham from 1998-2002, and was an active participant in the development of Pond Meadows, where she eventually made her home. At the time of her death, she worked for the Massachusetts Golf Association in Norton. Her love was her family and she could be spotted in the Wrentham and Plainville fields cheering on her grandchildren. She was an avid golfer and one of the first women members of the Foxborough Country Club, joining in 1983.
When she was not golfing, she loved to shop, and was always buying her family gifts. She enjoyed companionship with her friend Gerald (Gerry) Parenteau and her mini schnauzer “Freddy.”
She was a dedicated and loving mother of Elaine Finase and her husband John of Plainville, Patrice Embree of Wrentham, Paul F. Embree Jr. and his wife Denise of Plainville, Diane Clement and her husband Steven of Wrentham, and Christine Embree of Plainville. She had eight cherished grandchildren: Michael Embree and Timothy Finase of Plainville, Kelsi and Jared Clement of Wrentham, Kelly and Catherine Embree of Plainville, Julie Farabaugh of Plainville, and the late Paul F. Embree III. She was the sister of Ruth McCarthy of Plymouth, M. Eleanor Starr of Bellingham, Francis Starr and his wife Joan of Springhill, Fla., and the late Dorothy Bourne and Marion G. Starr. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, Aug. 6, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 140 South St., Wrentham.
Visiting hours at the R.J. Ross Funeral Home, 135 South St., Wrentham, will be on Sunday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Centre Cemetery in Wrentham.
