Wakefield, RI / Sturbridge : Carol Ann (Monette) Bourbeau, 88, formerly of New Boston Rd., Sturbridge, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, after a brief period of declining health.

Carol was deeply devoted to her family, friends, and spiritual community. She was a gifted storyteller and family historian, with a remarkable memory of people and events. With her sharp intellect and love of children she naturally gravitated to a career in education, working for the public school systems in Sturbridge and Southbridge, and for the Worcester diocese as a teacher at Marianhill and as a director of religious education for St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish.

Generations of Carol's family leaned on her when they needed care or words of wisdom. Her compassionate nature extended to animals and she adopted many dogs and cats who became treasured members of her household, most recently her feline companion Penny Joy. She loved gardening, cooking, good food, walks on the beach, meadows, and daisies. She regularly reminisced about her rich and joyful childhood in Southbridge and Sturbridge, where she played with her sister and friends on Fiske Hill and at her family's cabin on Leadmine Lake.

Carol was born in Southbridge to Leo and Doris (Hackett) Monette. She graduated from Tantasqua Regional High School and received a Bachelor's degree in education from Anna Maria College. Her husband of 48 years, Laurent L. Bourbeau, Jr., passed away in 2010. With her passing, she leaves behind a daughter, Mary Owens and her husband Kenneth of Charlestown, RI; three sons, David Bourbeau and his close friend Alberto Mercado of Sturbridge, Joel Bourbeau and his wife Christine of Sturbridge, and Neal Bourbeau and his wife Shelly of Three Rivers; and her sister, Marcia E. Provost of Carbondale, CO. Her cherished grandchildren are Robert Owens of Drake, CO, and his partner Jordan Limoges; Celeste Owens of Charlestown, RI, and her son Hendrix; Patrick Bourbeau of Clinton and his partner Daniela Oliveras; Camille Burlingame of Sturbridge, her husband Shane and their son Henry; Gregory Bourbeau of Sturbridge; Andrew Ljunggren of Temple, TX, his wife Deandra and their children Keoni, Elena, Jackson, and Lena; Adam Ljunggren of Charlton and his children Sophia, Bennett, and Allison; and Gabrielle Bourbeau of Three Rivers. Finally, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews who affectionately knew her as Auntie Carol.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, August 28th, from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a funeral Mass at 10:00am in St. Anne Church, 16 Church St., Sturbridge.  Burial will follow in Old Notre Dame Cemetery, Southbridge.

Calling hours in the funeral home will be held on Thursday, August 27th, from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .