THOMASSEN, TRACI BLAIS, JD
38 of Pawtucket, died on Tuesday, September 06, 2011 from complications of ovarian cancer.
Traci was raised in North Providence, Rhode Island. For the past thirteen years, Traci has been a valued employee of Johnson and Johnson in Raynham, Massachusetts in the legal department of the DePuy Spine operating company. Traci received her Juris Doctor Law degree from Roger Williams University. She received her Liberal Arts and Paralegal degree from Providence College. She is a graduate of Bay View Academy and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School.
Traci has been a friend to many and a role model to even more. She has been an inspiration to all who have known her. She was determined and hard-working. After 16 years of night school while working full-time, Traci passed the Bar Exam and was sworn into the Massachusetts Bar Association. Throughout her lifetime, Traci has taken every opportunity to make the most of each and every day. She loved being active – running, biking, hiking, kayaking, eating and traveling with her husband, family and friends. Traci has been a generous soul to family, friends and those in need. Since her diagnosis, she has been the driving force behind efforts to raise a total of over $100,000 for cancer research through the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. Traci continues to offer support to the cause by donating her body to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for study.
Traci is survived by her loving husband, Don Thomassen, originally from Pella, Iowa; her parents Louis and Dorothy (Frain) Blais of North Providence, Rhode Island; brothers Mark Blais of Seekonk, Massachusetts; and Kevin Blais of Burrillville, Rhode Island; and sisters Teri Theberge of Fall River, Massachusetts; Renee Blais of Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Amy Blais of Gurnee, Illinois.
A Celebration of Life for Traci will be held on Saturday, September 24th from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Eagle Event Center, 35 North Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts. Traci wanted us to remember not just her illness but her happiness, vitality and her spirit in life. In lieu of flowers, Traci asked that you consider celebrating that spirit with a Memorial Gift in her name to the Second Story Theater in Warren, Rhode Island where Traci and Don first met.
For online condolences, carepages.com/carepages/YellGoTraci