Thelma Westerling French

Thelma Westerling French, 88, died on April 13, 2004 at Havenwood-Herritage Heights in Concord, NH. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1915, and was raised in Quincy, MA. She graduated from Bridgewater Teacher's College in 1937 and shortly thereafter married Dr. B. Carson French, Ph.D, an organic chemistry professor. He later taught at Salem College, UNC at Chapel Hill, and the Cape Cod Community College. They had two children, the late Christopher W. French, an Associated Press journalist, and Susanne (French) O'Brien of Hopkinton, NH, a college professor and president of Carousel Testing and Teaching Specialists, LLC. Thelma lived in the Quincy area for many years before moving to Winston-Salem, NC. She taught kindergarten and first grade in both Massachusetts and North Carolina. She initiated the Fries Moravian Church Kindergarten in Winston-Salem, NC and enjoyed this teaching environment for years. After 20 years in North Carolina, she returned to Cape Cod, where she and her husband both taught. Her husband died in 1984. She spent the last twelve years near her daughter, living in Havenwood-Herritage Heights in Concord, NH. Thelma traveled extensively through Europe with her husband, and had a special interest in Scandinavia, since her beloved father was from Sweden. She actively pursued educational improvements for young children over her many years as an educator. Thelma is survived by a sister; Irma Hayes, of Osterville, MA, another sister; Norma Jean White, passed away last year. She has four grandchildren; Laura (O'Brien) Robertson of Gilmanton, NH, Brett O'Brien of Atlanta, GA, Catherine (French) Putvinski of Norwalk, CT, and Emily French of Capitola, CA. A private service will be held for family members and close friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society 360 Route 101, Unit 501, Bedford, NH 03110.