Beatrice (Bea) Boudette died Monday the 23rd of November at the Brookdale Senior Living Community in Franklin MA.
Born in 1928 to Rosario and Mederise (nee Auger) Drolet in Pittsfield NH, Beatrice was raised on a dairy farm and worked to develop the family business alongside her parents and sisters Phyllis and Janet.
In 1946 she graduated from Pittsfield High School and then went on to continue her education at the University of New Hampshire where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in bacteriology in 1950.
Upon graduating, Bea moved to Boston MA and was employed as a cancer researcher for the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation (future Dana-Faber Cancer Institute). Under the direction of Sidney Farber MD, Bea was part of the research team that contributed so significantly to the basis of modern cancer treatment.
In 1961 Bea married a former UNH classmate, Eugene (Gene) Boudette, a geologist employed by the US Geological Survey. The couple took up residence in Alexandria, VA and then later in the District of Columbia. During their marriage Bea and Gene also lived in Vermont, Maine, Arizona, and most recently back in their native New Hampshire.
Bea is remembered for her varied interests, which included gardening, cooking, sewing, and historical architecture. She was admired for her lovely singing voice and derived much enjoyment from her membership with various community choruses and church choirs.
She is survived by her children, Jennifer and Stephen Boudette, her nephew Lawrence Augustine, and her granddaughters, Sophie and Vivien Boudette.
The George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home of Dedham, MA, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
A memorial mass will be held at a future date T.B.A.