Doris Marie Anne (Bessette) Whitehead

Doris Whitehead March 7, 1941 – January 28, 1923  born in Jewett City, CT and raised in Plainfield, CT to Ulderic and Irene (Turcotte) Bessette, she was predeceased by her husband Paul of 63 years of marriage.  Doris and Paul called Voluntown home for almost 60 years.  Doris is survived by her children, Jessica Anne Goodrich (Tony Carneiro), Don Paul Whitehead (Debbie Lemoi) and Claire and Richard Gionet.  She was a loving and devoted grandmother to Alexander and Jessie Erdmann, Nathanial and Rachel Erdmann, Victoria and Jake LaBonte and Jordan and Rachel Gionet.  Doris’s great grandchildren were her greatest treasure and she loved to spoil them.   She is survived by her cousin Lucienne and several nieces and nephews as well. 

Doris, loving wife, devoted to her family, was well-known and respected in Voluntown, where she and Paul were well-known in the community and had many friends with whom they enjoyed dinners, dancing and family gatherings. 

She was a very loved and endeared Teacher’s Assistant at Voluntown Elementary School, by her colleagues, peers and students alike.  Doris was very proud of helping the school children who needed one-on-one attention to achieve their individual goals.  Reading was dear to her heart whether it be reading Dr. Seuss or any of her collection with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

She was a Voluntown Girl Scout Den Leader for Jessica and her peers for several years.  She also, assisted Paul with the Special Olympics one summer.

Over the years, Doris had a talent and passion for creating unique painted masterpieces such as in her shop, Painted Treasurers, porcelain dolls. And as of late, her one-of-a-kind jewelry.  Her love of hummingbirds, especially, and lighthouses, adorned the house and especially her beloved sunroom. 

A private service with immediate family will be held.  Please leave your messages to Doris’s family in the tribute section of Gagne Piechowski Funeral Home online. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to Voluntown Fire Department, who were so kind and of service to both Doris and Paul throughout the years, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or The CT Audubon Society. 

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