Louise A. Gauthier

Louise A. Gauthier, 75, of Assonet MA, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023 after a valiant eighteen year battle against Multiple Myeloma.

Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Reginald A. Gauthier and the late Pauline R. (Normandeau) Gauthier.

Louise spent 36 years in the Fall River public school system as a first grade teacher, special education teacher, special needs diagnostician, and school psychologist.

Louise held degrees from Bridgewater State College (BS 1969) and (ME 1975), and a second Master in Education (1981) from Providence College. She also held certifications in School Psychology from Boston State College and UMASS Boston.

She was a National Certified School Psychologist, Licensed Educational Psychologist, and was licensed by the State of MA as a School Psychologist (all levels) Guidance Counselor (K - 8) and Special Needs Teacher (K - 8).

Louise began volunteering in Fall River as a young Girl Scout and it extended until her health interfered. She was President of Residential Care Consortium, Secretary of King Philip Community House, director and member of the Human Rights Committee of ARC. She was also a Board member of the YMCA, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Mass, Faxon Animal Rescue League and a Bereavement Companion for Hospice.

Louise was the recipient of the Unsung Heroine Award in 2005 by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and also the BankFive HomeTown Hero Award in 2008.

Louise was an avid reader. She loved swimming and did a mile most days until recent years. She also enjoyed exercising at the YMCA, running, hiking, camping and playing tennis. She had a passion for music, traveling, and theater and loved to shop and dine out with family and friends. She dearly loved her pets Samantha, Heidi, Shanti, Purrpetua, Andrew, Amanda, Grace, Alphie and Max.

Louise also devoted her time for 46 years to Holy Name Church. She was an Eucharistic Minister, Lector and served as President and Secretary of Holy Name School Advisory Board.

She is survived by her wife and partner of twenty-seven years Elizabeth “Beth” Fay.

She also leaves four siblings, Daniel A. Gauthier (Kathy) of South Bend, Indiana, Michelle A. Enos (R.Jay) of Sagamore Beach, MA, Charlotte A. Saul (Richard) of Gilford, NH, and Christine A. Leeman (Paul Marchessault) of Fairhaven, MA, and four nieces and nephews; Nicole Gauthier-Tominberg (Jeremy) of North Hollywood, CA, Daniel L. Gauthier of New Cumberland, PA, Kristen B. Cummings (Matthew) of Assonet, MA, and Jon Enos (Allie) of East Freetown, MA.

Her Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 10th at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name Church, Hanover St. Fall River. Burial, Notre Dame Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will follow at White's of Westport, 66 State Rd., Westport, MA.

Memorial contributions can be made to United Way of Greater Fall River, P.O. Box 2550, Fall River, MA 02722.

https://uwgfr.org/