Thelma I. Larochelle

WILLIAMSTOWN – Thelma I. LaRochelle, 97, formerly of The Gardens, and Downes Ave., Barre, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Barre Gardens Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Born December 7, 1922 in Williamstown, she was the daughter of Edmond and Lucy (DeCoteau) Bisson.   She attended graded schools in Williamstown and South Barre, graduating from Spaulding High School in 1941.

On August 9, 1941 she married Marcel LaRochelle, following their marriage they spent most of their married life in East Barre and Barre.

During World War II, Thelma worked at the Jones and Lamson Machine Shop in Springfield and Rock of Ages Capacitor Plant which later became Sprague Electric. In 1967 she went to work for Merchants Bank, retiring from there in 1987.

Thelma volunteered for many years at Central Vermont Hospital and was also a dedicated member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre. In her spare time, she also enjoyed camping, reading, dancing and spending time with her family and friends.

Survivors include her two sons Marcel LaRochelle, Jr., and wife, Janet, of Barre and Danny LaRochelle and wife, Joann, of Washington; her daughter Dr. Jan Guffey and husband, Fredrick, of Mineville, NY; her grandchildren Robert LaRochelle, (Patricia) Karen Marsh (David), Dr. Winter Guffey (Corey), A.J. Guffey, and Sherrilynn Polson (Antonio); and her great-grandchildren Ryan LaRochelle, Sean LaRochelle, Jaime Marsh, Taylor Marsh and Cecelia Polson. She also leaves her brother David Bisson and wife Joan, her sisters Barbara Fraser and Patricia LaVoie as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Marcel and her brothers Robert, Donald and James.

A Mass of Christian Burial to honor Thelma’s life will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Monica Catholic Church on Summer Street in Barre. Burial will follow in the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville. There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions in Thelma’s name may be made to Central Vermont Humane Society, PO Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601.