WAREHAM - Pauline Faye (Lanoue) Thomas, 87, of Wareham, passed away on April 3, 2024 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  She was the daughter of the late Donald B and Florence M. (Alden) Lanoue. 

Pauline was born in Brockton and grew up in East Bridgewater. She lived in Bridgewater and Taunton before moving to Wareham in 1998.

She was the valedictorian of her high school class in East Bridgewater and went on to receive her bachelor's degree in education from UMass Amherst and her master’s in special education from Bridgewater State University.

She worked for 24 years as a special education teacher in the Bridgewater school system and touched the lives of many children and their families during her tenure there.

She sang in church choirs all her life beginning with Union Congregational Church in East Bridgewater, Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater and the First Congregational Church of Wareham.  She also sang with several community choruses: Jubilate of Brockton, Pilgrim Festival Chorus of Plymouth and Sippican Choral of Marion.

Pauline spent over forty happy years with her devoted life partner Richard Mathis. They had a passion for Round dancing and traveled all over the country to many dance events.  She enjoyed being a grandmother to her seven grandchildren who have fond memories of play time at the beach, cooking in her kitchen and snuggling up to read a favorite book. She was an avid reader, gardener and a fast walker.

As a mother she was a calm steady presence for her children. As a friend she was loyal, fun and occasionally saucy. 

Survivors include her daughters Lizbeth K. Estes and husband Keith of Carver, Jennifer A. Brisco and husband Ron of Exeter, CA, her son Peter A. Thomas of Taunton and daughter-in-law Anne Marie Thomas of Chelmsford.  She also leaves behind her life partner Richard Mathis of Buzzards Bay and dear friend Martha Perkins of East Bridgewater. She is lovingly survived by grandchildren Ryan, Michael, Noelle, Samuel, Robbie, Christopher and Luke.  She was predeceased by her brother Donald B. Lanoue Jr. and her son Andrew P. Thomas.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the First Congregational Church, 11 Gibbs Ave., Wareham.  

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Wareham at https://fccwareham.org/ or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at https://alzfdn.org/donate.

Arrangements are by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – WAREHAM.