LOWELL—Barbara Carole (Bell) Desmarais, a resident of the Belvidere section of the city, died late Sunday evening, June 4th, at her residence. She was the wife of the Raymond F. Desmarais, with whom she celebrated their 48th anniversary on August 10th.
She was born in Gardner, on December 25, 1935, a daughter of the late Frederick P. and Hazel C. (Brown) Bell. She attended the Gardner Schools and later graduated from Framingham State College, with a degree in Education.
Mrs. Desmarais served as a substitute teacher in the Lowell Public School System. She also worked for many years as a Special Needs Teacher for the Town of Tewksbury, and served as the Assistant Director of Education for Bay State Rehabilitation, in Billerica. She also worked as a Title Examiner for the Registry of Deeds, in Lowell. She was the President of Desmarais Associates Inc. Land Surveyors, in Lowell.
She gave countless hours of her time volunteering with many community organizations including: the Gift Shop at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital; as the Director of the Merrimack Valley Girl Scouts; as the Chairman of the Community Involvement and Hospitality Committee of the College Club of Lowell; the Lowell Youth Skating Association, organizing the Girls Figure Skating Program; and First Professional Badge Program. She sang and performed with the Highland Players, and collected and distributed mittens for needy schoolchildren in Lowell.
Surviving her besides her husband are her children: David B. Desmarais, of Lowell; Elizabeth E. Desmarais, of Newburyport; Susan K., and her husband Davon Dresser, of West Paris, ME; and Daniel T., and his wife Heather (Cormier) Desmarais, of Lowell; a grandson: Henry Raymond Desmarais, two granddaughters: Nell Elizabeth Franchek, and Ava Barbara Desmarais; a sister: Natalie Bell, of Westminster, MA; five nieces, four nephews and two cousins.
Friends may call from 2 to 8 PM on Wednesday, June 7th, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). Her Funeral Service will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. Donations in her memory may be made to either: Scleroderma Foundation/New England Chapter; 462 Boston Street; Suite 1-1; Topsfield, MA 01983 OR Merrimack Valley Hospice; 360 Merrimack Street; Lawrence, MA 01843.