IRENE ELIZABETH THOMAS du BREUIL

DU BREUIL IRENE ELIZABETH THOMAS
Passed away Friday, December 17, 2010, surrounded by her family. She was 91. She was born in Rochester, NH on May 21, 1919 and was raised in Wilmington, MA. She earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics at Regis College in Weston, MA. She worked for General Electric during the war due to the shortage of scientists and mathematicians. After the war she moved to State College, PA where she earned her masters in mathematics at the Pennsylvania State University and where she met and married Felix Lemaigre du Breuil of Paris, France. Together, they raised seven children in Monroeville, PA, and later moved to Newtown, PA to be near their children. Her strength to overcome her disabilities from childhood polio prepared her to face the many challenges life presented raising and keeping her growing family together. In her later years, she was known for her smile and her love for those around her. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years and her parents, Theodore Eugene Thomas and Elizabeth Anna Leng. She is survived by their seven children, Paul and Joy du Breuil, Dr. Anne du Breuil and her husband, Dr. Fred Markham, Catherine du Breuil and her husband, Dr. Joseph Merola, Denis and Beverly du Breuil, Therese du Breuil, Bernard du Breuil, and Thomas du Breuil and his wife, Ruth Munroe. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Elizabeth Molina-Markham and her husband Andres Molina- Markham, Sarah Markham, Meredith Markham, Laura Merola, Rebecca Merola and her husband, Theodore Fisher, Emily Merola and her fiancé Dennis Fillebrown, Jeffrey Merola, Madeline du Breuil, Christina du Breuil, Michael du Breuil, and Jennifer du Breuil. She also is survived by her sister Dorothea Provenzano and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Margaret Brown, and her brothers Theodore and Wilbur Thomas. Family and friends are invited to call from 7-9 p.m. Monday, December 20, at SWARTZ GIVNISH FUNERAL HOME, 323 E. Washington Ave., Newtown. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday December 21 at St. Andrew Church, 81 Swamp Road, Newtown, with internment following at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, 1215 Super Highway, Langhorne. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Chandler Hall Adult Day Program, 99 Barclay St., Newtown, PA 18940 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
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