Doris Bibeau April 05, 1929 – May 17, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Doris Helen Bibeau (90) of South Hadley passed away peacefully on May 17, 2019 at Genesis Renaissance Manor on Cabot in Holyoke after a short battle with cancer and, remarkably, 23 years and one day after the death of her husband, Real Jean Bibeau (1925-1996). Born in Holyoke on April 5, 1929 during the Great Depression to parents Rene and Helen (Kree) Normandeau. She grew to be fiercely independent and reliable, and always remembered the value of a penny.
Both her parents and most of her extended family immigrated from France and Canada in the early 1900s and worked in the many textile mills of Holyoke and North Adams. Doris was a graduate of Holyoke High School. One of her first jobs was as an usher at the Victory movie theatre in Holyoke.
She later worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Roland Stebbins, followed by Continental Cablevision (Comcast), and retired from Town of South Hadley Health Department. Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and friend to many. When asked how she met her husband, Doris replied, “He and I used to ride the same bus.
One day there was an empty seat next to him and I got up the courage to go introduce myself! ” Doris and Real were married May 9, 1953. Family was her greatest joy, and she relished time spent with us all, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Doris volunteered her time to watch over her grandchildren for their busy parents. For an extended stretch of time, Doris was the caretaker for granddaughter Sarah, who remembers fondly many rides on the old Mountain Park MerryGoRound now run as an exhibit at Heritage Park. Greatgranddaughter Carson’s pet name for Doris was Beebs.
In her later years Doris became active in helping other seniors at the South Hadley Senior Center. She also became an avid Scrabble player routinely defeating family members and spending time with others through Words With Friends. Doris is survived by her daughter Suzanne Sroka and her husband Stephen of West Springfield; sons Richard Bibeau and his wife Susan of Fairlee, VT, David Bibeau and his wife Carole of Norwich, VT; four grandchildren, Steven Sroka of Chicopee, Daniel Sroka of Oldsmar, FL, Kristen Cullinan and her husband Seamus of West Springfield, Sarah Bibeau of Norwich, VT; two great granddaughters Carson Sroka and Teagan Cullinan ; a niece and several nephews including Jeffrey Bibeau of Holyoke, whom Doris considered one of her own.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Genesis Renaissance Manor on Cabot and Beacon Hospice for the exceptional care they extended to both Doris and her family. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at 1800227-2345.
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