Mary Bois, 97, of Paradis Ave. Woonsocket died Wednesday at Oakland Grove Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Raymond L. Bois, Sr.
Born in Manville she was a daughter of the late Luigi and Anelda Nilda (Savelli) Sbarbati, both natives of Italy. She was raised in Manville and resided in Woonsocket for over 60 years,
Mary and her older sister lost their parents as young children. They were adopted and raised by their aunt and uncle becoming part of a family that already had 6 children. At the age of 14 Mary took on an adult role by helping a local family care for their ailing mother. Through her experiences during her youth Mary acquired her lifelong work ethic and everything she did reflected her meticulous nature.
As a young adult she was employed at the Berkshire Hathaway Mill and it was there she met her future husband Raymond Bois. The couple married in May of 1939. Mary also worked at House of Brides in Woonsocket for many years. She was adept at crocheting and was a home-based seamstress making clothes for herself, family and her daughter’s doll collection.
She was a longtime communicant of St. Anthony’s Church and a member of the Ladies Guild of the parish.
Mary will be remembered as a loving and caring wife and mother. She was a gracious and generous friend and genuinely loved people. Mary had an amazing sense of humor, could fire off a hilarious reply to any situation and was known to be able to silence anyone with “Her Look”.
She is survived by a son Raymond L. Bois, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Alexandria, Virginia, and a daughter Linda-Marie Hebert and her husband, Richard, of Pawtucket. Two grandchildren Andrea Puerini and her husband, Jason, of Narragansett and Raymond A. Bois of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and three great-grandchildren Eden and Alessandra Puerini, and Christopher Bois. She was the sister of Irma Tomassini of Woonsocket and the late Livio Palazzini, Helen Canestrari, Ada Spyrka, Innes Pelletier, Rica Bacchiochi, and Nella Marcil. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.
Her funeral will be Monday at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave, Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Anthony’s Church, Greene St. Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manville. Visiting hours are Sunday from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Beacon Hospice 1 Catamore Blvd. East Providence, RI. 02914.
www.menardfuneralhome.com