Doris Mary St. Lawrence
(1924-2018)
(1924-2018)
Mary Doris St. Lawrence (also known as Doris Mary) (Aunt Doris) was born on April 6, 1924 and was the oldest daughter of Francis Xavier St. Lawrence (age 39) and Virginie Gagne (age 34). She was born in Norwich, Connecticut and lived there for the rest of her life.
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| Rita, Dottie and Doris, 1930s |
Doris was baptized at St. Patrick Church and attended St. Patrick School and Norwich Free Academy, class of 1942.
According to the 1930s Census, Doris lived with her parents and two sisters Rita and Dorothy, and half sister Sadie (mother Marie Bouley) at 16 Grovesnor Place, Norwich, CT.
According to the 1940s Census, at age 16, Doris was attending Norwich Free Academy and still living at same address. By this time, her Aunt Mimi (Blanche Gagne) was also living with them.
Doris and her sister Rita were one of the original members of the Henry A. Tirrell Chapter of the National Honor Society at Norwich Free Academy.
Doris was also part of the Red and White Newspaper staff at NFA.
After high school, Doris work at Norwich Gas and Electric Company.
On May 6, 1944, Doris (20yrs) married Robert Duhamel Lapre (22yrs) (Bud or Uncle Buddy) (1922-2018) while he was on leave and before his departure to Europe.
Prior to enlisting in the army, Bud worked as a courier for Western Union and a machinist for Pratt and Whitney.
Bud enlisted in the Army on April 12, 1943 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was accepted into Army Air Cadet Program and later transferred to the Infantry as a light machine gunner. Bud served under General Patton's Third Army, 4th Armored Division.
According to City Directories 1952 and 1956, Doris and Bud lived at 92 Williams St., Norwich and Bud worked for SNET as a Splicer Helper.
He worked for SNET for 30 years and enjoyed traveling with Doris during his retirement. Bud also played the bugle and was one of the founding members of the Fletcher's Raiders, a drum and bugle corp based out of Norwich.
Doris and Bud had two children, Patricia M. Lapre (1947) and Donald E. LaPre (1949).
The family later moved to 21 Autumn Way, in Norwich (later rezoned to Bozrah), CT. Doris and Bud lived at this home until they were moved to nursing homes in the area.
Doris was very active in the Norwich community. She was a member of the Women's City Club of Norwich and the Backus Hospital Auxiliary. She was skilled at many things, including sewing, gardening and baking the most amazing cakes!
I personally remember her delicious whoopie pies and deviled eggs. She was devoted to her family and always interested in the lives of her extended family as well.
Doris enjoyed traveling with Bud in many capacities, including motorcycle, private planes and sports cars.
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