Pauline Bonneau

CALDWELL, Idaho — Pauline Irene Bonneau passed away Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, in Caldwell.

Pauline was born May 27, 1930, in Dover, N.H., to Joseph and Marie Anne St. Jean. She was a lifelong Dover resident, growing up on the family farm on Grove Street, formerly the Peabody Estate. She attended church at St. Charles Parish and graduated from Dover High School.

On Sept. 1, 1952, she married the love of her life, George Bonneau, and they built their home where the barn once stood on the farm. She began her life as "Mom" when she and George became the proud parents of their only son, Ronald Joseph, in May of 1957. When George passed all-too-soon in 1961, she entered a new phase of her life, that of a widowed young mother. She spent much of her working career as a teller at Merchants Bank, a position she retired from in 1995.

While small in stature, she had the courage and determination of someone twice her size. Those qualities, along with the support of her family, gave her the strength to succeed in every aspect of her life.

Pauline's faith and the family she shared at St. Charles Parish was a blessing that gave her much joy and comfort. She continued in her role as parish bookkeeper after her retirement and enjoyed the time she spent daily with Fr. Paul, Priscilla Guppy, Tom Hardy and Marie Twombly.

In 2007, she moved to Idaho to be with her son, Ron, and while it was difficult for her to leave her home and friends in Dover, she was excited at the opportunity to be close to her son for the first time in many years.

Pauline is survived by her son, Ron and his wife, Michele, of Caldwell; her sister, Yvette (Bill) Attaya of Burlington, Mass.; nephews, Mark (Janice) Attaya of Billerica, Mass., and Chris (Jeanne) Attaya of Wakefield, Mass.; nieces, Ann Cope of Andover, Mass., Michelle (Mike) Kelo of Chesterfield, Va., and Caroline (Gil) Entzminger of Petersburg, Va. She is also survived by her "adopted" children, Ron "Jake" Sutherland of Exeter, N.H., Arthur "Art" Signorelli of Portsmouth, N.H., Roseanne Kilty of Dover, N.H., Barb Hopson Dill of Campton, N.H. and Jill Listowich Howe of Eugene, Ore.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George; her parents, Joseph and Marie Anne; and her "adopted" son, Rick Danjou of Wareham, Mass.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Prestige Assisted Living at Autumn Wind, the place that became home for Mom this past year, as well as being her surrogate family in Idaho. You are the best and Mom loved you all very much.

Although known by many names such as "Mom," "Ma B," "Little Sister," "Auntie Pleen," "Ma Tante," "Memère," and "Short Mama," ultimately she was always Pauline, a woman loved by many and one who will be missed by all who knew her.

Au Revoir!



A Funeral Mass and Celebration of Pauline's life will be held this summer in Dover, N.H. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in her name to Alzheimer's research.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, Idaho.

Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits>