Yolande Thibeault, 88,of Smithfield died peacefully Thursday, July 21, 2011 after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Lt. Col. Raymond E. Thibeault for 61 years.
Born in Lawrence, MA she was the oldest daughter of Jules and Fernande Cullen. As a young woman before her marriage in 1950, she enjoyed her work at Charlestown Navy Yard for the war department. Yolande took great pride in raising her family of seven, frequently relocating to Army posts in the U.S. and in Europe before settling in Providence, where she lived from 1961 to 1974, and worked as assistant librarian at LaSalle Academy. Since 1974 she and her husband lived in Smithfield while spending winters in Florida.
She is survived by her children Denise Thibeault of Cambridge, MA, Robert Thibeault and his wife Mary of W. Stockbridge, MA, Jean Thibeault of Cranston, Michelle Duhaime and her husband, Paul, and Claudette Kuligowski and her husband, Mark all of Smithfield, and Jerry Thibeault and his partner Peter Smith of Boston. She also leaves six grandchildren: Caitlin and Caroline Thibeault, Jake Thibeault, Michael Duhaime and Chrissy and Matthew Kuligowski. Also survived by her siblings Gaston Cullen and his wife Gloria of Pawtucket, Sonia Cullen of Attleboro, MA, Gabrielle Gadbois of Cumberland, and sister-in-law Barbara Cullen of Providence. Her husband Raymond E. Thibeault died in 2010. She was also predeceased by her son Jacques Thibeault and grandson Nathan McMahon.
Yolande enjoyed playing her piano, attending concerts and musicals in Boston and Providence, exercising with the Smithfield YMCA lady’s swim club and, most of all, spending time with her devoted children and grandchildren. Yolande was a faithful communicant and long-time choir member of St. Phillips Church in Greenville. Her loving and patient nature, her voice, and her joyful enthusiasm will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Funeral Monday at 10am from the ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial Private. Visitation respectfully omitted.