Catherine Louise Paquette, 96, of Arnold, died of natural causes Feb. 7 at Future Care-Chesapeake in Arnold.

Born Nov. 27, 1908, and raised in Massachusetts, Mrs. Paquette taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Sun Cook, N.H. Then she married Phillippe Arthur Paquette, who died July 9, 1959.

She taught third grade at the Immaculate Conception Catholic School from 1963 to 1970 in New Bedford, Mass., where she lived for more than 40 years. She moved to Annapolis in 1984 to live with her daughter, Annette Gelinas, who died in 1992.

Mrs. Paquette was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New Bedford where she was on the parish council, worked with senior activities and taught Catholic religious education. She loved children and volunteered at Windsor Farm Elementary School. She won many awards, including the Sears Award for volunteering.

Surviving are one daughter, Claire Heath of Greenfield, Mass.; and one brother, W. Lester Buereau of Sarasota, Fla. She had a deceased granddaughter, Bridget Gelinas, and a deceased brother, Alfred Buereau.

Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. tomorrow, followed by services at Barranco and Sons Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. Visitation also will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Rock Funeral Home in New Bedford. A Mass of Christian burial will be said at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Church, Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, followed by burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery in New Bedford.

Online condolences may be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com

As published in The Capital Newspaper on 2/9/05