Northborough – Pauline E. (deBairos) Charbonneau, 96, died peacefully at her home Monday, May 13, 2013. She was the daughter of Henry and Antoinette (Morel) deBairos and the wife of Antonio (Tony) Charbonneau, who passed away in 1988.
Pauline was born and raised in Marlborough, and was a 1934 graduate of Marlborough High School. She worked for New England Telephone for 33 years and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
In 1951, after marrying Tony, Pauline moved to Northborough. She and her husband were devoted members of St. Bernadette's Church, to which they made a generous donation of land for St. Bernadette's School and for the overall expansion of the campus. The Charbonneau Center was dedicated in April 2007 and named for the Charbonneau family. She loved the school and the students; she knew many of them by name and watched them from her porch as they played in the schoolyard. She considered them part of her family.
Pauline loved animals, especially dogs. For many years, she volunteered her services as “doggie day care” for friends in the community.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Mary Charbonneau and her husband Guilbert Busby of Greene, Maine; her brother, John deBairos of Marlborough; and her sister, Nita Holt of Westborough. She is also survived by her very special nieces and nephews, Mary Ann Walsh and her husband Richard Carter of Oakland, California, Thomas and Cindy Walsh of Hull, Michael and Marija Walsh of Hull, and Peter, Matthew, and Christopher Holt. She also leaves her devoted friend, Judi Winning, whom she regarded as another sister. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Walsh, who died Oct. 25, 2012, and by her niece, Kathleen Doherty.
Calling hours will be held Friday, May 17, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., in Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough. Pauline's funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 18, at 10:00 a.m., in St. Bernadette Church, 266 Main St., Northborough. She will be laid to rest beside Tony in Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Marlborough.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her memory may be to St. Bernadette Parish or MSPCA-Angell, attn: donations, 350 South Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02130.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.haysfuneralhome.com.
