Jeanne Margaret (Rousseau) Mathieu, 84, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2016 surrounded by her loving family at Sippican Health Care Center in Marion after a long illness. She was the wife of the late Roland F. Mathieu.
Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Dr. Wilfrid J. and Margaret I. (Donaghy) Rousseau, she lived in New Bedford all of her life. She was a communicant of St. Lawrence Martyr Church in New Bedford.
Jeanne graduated from Elmhurst Academy in Providence R.I., and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY. She was an outstanding athlete throughout her academic career. She taught at the elementary school level until her marriage to her beloved Roland in 1954.
After raising her four children, she taught French at Holy Family Grammar School and worked for many years in the New Bedford School system administration.
She was active in local and state politics, and served in Mayor Rosemary Tierney’s administration. She worked on Mayor Scott Lang’s mayoral campaign, and then was involved with the New Bedford Council on Aging, serving as President until her illness. Jeanne was also a member and past President of the Catholic Woman’s Club and a member of the Country Club of New Bedford.
Jeanne enjoyed spending her summers on Long Pond in Lakeville with her children, her eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Survivors include her son Peter R. Mathieu of New Bedford; her daughter Suzanne M. Goulart of New Bedford; her daughter Patricia A. Costa and her husband P. J. Costa of New Bedford; her daughter Mary Beth Morse and her husband Tad Morse of Mattapoisett; her eleven grandchildren, Brendan Mathieu, Lauren Mathieu Snee, Kerry Mathieu Forcier, Jennifer Goulart Kelley, Andrew Goulart, Patrick Costa, Peter Costa, Meg Costa, Ben Morse, Emily Morse and Laura Morse; and her two great grandchildren; Reagan Lane Snee and Mathieu James Costa. Jeanne was the sister of Paul R. Rousseau and the late Fr. Richard W. Rousseau, SJ.
The family extends their sincere appreciation to the entire staff and administration of Sippican Health Care Center. We are forever grateful.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 21 at 10 AM at St Lawrence Martyr Church in New Bedford. Visitation will be on Sunday March 20, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.