Beatrice F. (Fregeau) White

Beatrice (Fregeau) White, 94, of Manchester, CT died on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. Beatrice was the ninth child of eleven born to Edward J. Fregeau and Laurentine (Dion) Fregeau in Winooski, VT on Monday, the 25th of February 1929. 

During the Great Depression, Beatrice left Mount St Mary’s high school after her sophomore year to work in a local mill to help support the family. During WWII, she spent her spare time writing letters to Marines in the Pacific Theater, in particular her brother-in-law, John Farrell, and other Marines he served with. In 1947 she met the love of her life, Paul W. White of Barre, VT, who she would marry on February 7, 1948. 

Beatrice, or Bea to her family and friends, and Paul made their first home in an apartment building in Winooski, a short walk from her childhood home, and together they welcomed into the world their first two sons, David and Michael. After a few short years they moved to Manchester, CT, where they would spend the remainder of their years together. They made their first home on Pine Street in a side-by-side apartment building next door to her sister-in-law Anna (White) Coslit and her husband Phil Coslit with their two children Cathy and Milton Coslit. Her father-in-law, Napoleon White, and mother-in-law, Maud (Wylie) lived next door. Their third and fourth children, Pamela and Gary, were born in CT. 

Beatrice was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child started school. At that point she began working as a school cafeteria worker over the next 18 years. Additional work followed with the SNET Co. and Brand Rex Corporation.

A devout Catholic, Bea was a communicant at St James parish in Manchester and later in life at St Bridget and St Bartholomew parishes.

Bea was also a Den mother when her two oldest sons entered Cub Scouts. 

Traveling in the summer months, as a family, was limited to camping with a family cabin tent to camping sites around the New England States, as far west as Kentucky and Tennessee and along the eastern seaboard through PA, MD, VA and visits to the nation’s Capital. Later as empty nesters, she and Paul traveled with their grandchildren to FL and Walt Disney World. In their camper they toured through the eastern Provinces of Canada, Northern VT, NH and ME. Later in life they spent many summers in Ogunquit, ME with her sisters Pauline (Ron) and Theresa (Clement) enjoying the local beaches shops and restaurants.

Bea continued a hobby in ceramics she started with her youngest son, Gary, throughout most of the rest of her life. She worked her ceramic magic with Kate Dempski for a number of years and through the Senior Center in the town of Manchester. 

Beatrice was predeceased by her husband Paul of 50 years, all of her five brothers, Leo (Mary), Raymond (Norma), Jerome (Florence), Pete (Claire) and John (Peggy) and all of her five sisters Jeannette, Rita (John Farrell), Cecile, Theresa (Clement Potvin) and Pauline (Ronald Meunier). Her daughter Pamela (Parsons), daughter-in-law Dori (Hall) White, and granddaughter Jennifer (White) Mocksfield. 

Beatrice is survived by her sons David (Susan Stead) of Coventry, Michael (Joanne Reed) of Manchester, and Gary of Rome, Ohio and one sister-in-law Florence Fregeau of Winooski, VT. Her grandchildren Matt Ursin of Portland, Marc Ursin (Joni) of Valrico, FL, Kristian Parsons (Marci) of Coventry, Jason Parsons of Manchester, Jessica White of Rome, Ohio, Alexander White of Canonsburg, PA, Megan (White) Yanez (Leo) of Coventry and Jeffrey White (Jill) of Tucson, AZ; also, by eleven great grandchildren, Griffin, Cassidy, Giselle, Christina, Skyler, Madisen, Mason, Jordan, Camron, Noah, and Owen. One of her most dear friends and companions was a cousin of her husband and children, Linda (White) Hannon with whom she day tripped around CT and RI. Linda and Bea were among a group of women who attended Mass together for many years. 

She was a beloved aunt of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews too numerous to mention. She will be missed greatly by all who survive her. 

The family would like to thank Constance Tigere and Doreen Samuels, from Companions and Homemakers, for providing the best possible live in care for our mother and grandmother. Additionally, we would like to thank the Visiting Nurses and Health Services for their hospice care. Friends and relatives are welcome to join the family for visitation at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester on Tuesday, August 15th from 4-6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main St., Manchester on Wednesday, August 16th at 10:00 AM. Burial is to follow at St. James Cemetery, 368 Broad St., Manchester. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association. 

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