Marie Louise Astrid Thurston

Portsmouth, RI - Marie Louise Astrid Pacaud Thurston, 69, of 38 Mary Lane, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of 35 Lehigh Terrace, Portsmouth, RI, died Saturday, January 24, 2004 at home. She was the wife of the late Benjamin Mott Thurston. Born in New York City, NY, on October 31, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Astrid Skotte Pacaud. In 1970, Mrs. Thurston began as a clerk typist for the Town of Portsmouth Housing Authority at Quaker Manor. In 1983, she became the Executive Director and retired from that poistion in 1988.Mrs. Thurston was a member of St. Marys Episcopal Church, Portsmouth. She was currently serving as a trustee of the Portsmouth Free Public Library and was a member of Quilters by the Sea and of the Portsmouth Arts Guild. She was an avid quilter who won numerous awards for her quilts and several have been published. Mrs. Thurston was a 1952 Graduate of Rogers High School. She then studied retailing at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in New York. After graduation she worked for Filenes in Boston, MA. She left that position to be married and raise a family. Mrs. Thurston was active in many local organizations and formerly held leadership positions in Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, St. Mary?s Parent Teacher Fellowship, Band and Athletic Boosters in Portsmouth, and the Grand Squares Square Dance Club. She is survived by one son, Mark Mott Thurston of Flagstaff, AZ, two daughters Lynn Ann Thurston of Portsmouth, RI, and Pamela Jean Rohdenburg of Nantucket, MA, and two grandchildren. Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 30, 2004, at 11:00AM in St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will follow in St. Marys Churchyard in Portsmouth. Donations may be made in her memory to the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2568 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or to the Portsmouth Volunteer Fire Dept. Rescue Wagon Fund, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI 02871.