Carole (Nason) Babineau

Carole Babineau, age 84, died peacefully on June 25, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. She was the devoted wife of Chester (Chet) Babineau, whom she married in 1957 after a five year courtship that lasted through high school and college – a total of 68 years. Born in Fitchburg, she was the daughter of Francis and Florence Nason. She was predeceased by a brother, Philip Nason.

Carole attended Fitchburg High School and graduated from Mount Ida College in 1956 with a degree in Medical Technology. She was a registered Laboratory Technician and practiced in GA, while Chet was on active duty in the Army, and was a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. She was the co-owner and business partner with her husband of Babineau Pharmacy and assisted with the operation for 40 years.

She thoroughly enjoyed many other activities on local and state levels. A devout Catholic, she assisted St. Joseph Parish in Pepperell from the time she moved into town. She spent 25 years as Secretary to the Parish Council, 35 years as Director of Religious Education, 35 years as a founding member of the Baptism Catechesis Ministry and served as Lecturer and Eucharistic Minister, as well as other activities. She especially loved assisting Fr. Ring on a monthly basis where she and Chet served as Lecturer and Altar Server for live presentations of the Catholic Mass on Catholic TV.

Carole was President of NMRS AFS (American Field Service), an organization that sponsored foreign students and gave them the opportunity to spend an academic year in the USA to help broaden their education. She was a founding member of PBA (Pepperell Business Association) and spent many years as VP assisting the Presidents. She was the coordinator of the famous Annual Duck Race that raised thousands of dollars for scholarships that assisted high school grads to attend college. She served many years as President of WOBARD (Women of Boston Area Retail Druggists) that had the same goals and was distributed to pharmacy school students. Carole was the first female non-pharmacist inducted into the BDA (Boston Druggist Association). It is the oldest Dinner Club in the city. She was a Director for 15 years. She assisted the Town of Pepperell as a Warden and supervised the voting process for 17 years. In 2007, she received the Mt. Ida College Distinguished Alumna Award.

Upon retiring in 2000, she enjoyed traveling and visiting too many locations to list, but was especially pleased when chosen to set the pace for the arduous 7 hr., 12 K climb from rain forest to over 11,000 feet ending at the summit of Machu Picchu in Peru. One of the many other memorable trips sponsored by the Pharmacy College and the Biotech Industry allowed her to have dinner with the Prime Minister of Ireland.

She was passionately serious about her veggie garden. She purposely planted every seed in perfect rows and enjoyed eradicating every weed, claiming it was good therapy as she took out her frustrations on them. The final satisfaction was filling her freezer to capacity. Above all, her greatest joy was her marriage, family and home. She loved the frenzy of grandchildren in her yard. The joyful screeching from the swimming pool was music to her ears.

Besides her husband Chet, Carole is survived by three children: daughter Linda Rice and husband Gary of Michigan, and sons Brian Babineau and wife Kathleen and Wayne Babineau of Pepperell. She is survived by seven grandchildren, Shannon Delaney and her husband Bryan of NH, Adam Rice and wife Lauren of TX, Keith Babineau and wife Carissa of NH, Kevin Babineau and wife Kaila of ME, Douglas Babineau and bride to be Mary of Pepperell, and Hollis Babineau and Stori Babineau of Pepperell, as well as 3 great-grandchildren,  Lilly 06-03-16, Ellie 01-02-20, Serena 10-21-20 and another expected very soon.

She will be surely missed by her family and friends. Please remember her in your prayers. SHE WAS THE GLUE THAT HELD US TOGETHER.

BABINEAU – Carole N., a longtime Pepperell resident. June 25, 2021. Visiting hours in the McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St. (Rte. 113) Pepperell, MA on Tuesday, June 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace Parish worshipping at St. Joseph's Church, 28 Tarbell St., Pepperell on Wednesday, June 30 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Pepperell. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 ( www.cancer.org ). Please see www.McGaffiganFuneral.com