2014 -- H 8111 | |
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LC005537 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014 | |
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N | |
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF DR. MERCEDES SANTOS | |
COULOMBE | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Martin, and DeSimone | |
Date Introduced: April 30, 2014 | |
Referred To: House read and passed | |
1 | WHEREAS, It is with sadness and regret that this House has learned of the passing of Dr. |
2 | Mercedes Santos Coulombe on April 19, 2014; and |
3 | WHEREAS, Dr. Coulombe was a lifelong resident of Newport, Rhode Island. She was |
4 | born in 1933, the youngest child of Joseph and Mercedes Santos. She graduated from St. |
5 | Catherine Academy in Newport in 1951, and thereafter matriculated at the College of Our Lady |
6 | of the Elms in Massachusetts, where she graduated Cum Laude. It was at this time that she |
7 | discovered her passion for teaching and education and shortly thereafter, began her distinguished |
8 | professional career as an elementary school teacher in Agawam, Massachusetts. It was also at this |
9 | time that she met and married the love of her life, Robert R. Coulombe, Sr. Together they |
10 | returned to Newport and had three children, Mercedes C. Mellekas, Robert R. Coulombe, Jr., and |
11 | Dr. Triste M. Coulombe; and |
12 | WHEREAS, Upon her return to Newport, Dr. Coulombe began her lifelong employment |
13 | with the Newport School Department. Being a devoted and exemplary teacher, she quickly rose |
14 | through the ranks. She became a Principal at Coggeshall Elementary School and was highly |
15 | regarded and praised for the diligence, dedication and innovative ideas she brought with her to |
16 | work every day in her duties as Principal; and |
17 | WHEREAS, In 1989, she obtained a Doctorate of Education degree from Nova |
18 | University. In her position as Head of Curriculum, she was instrumental in the development and |
19 | implementation of the Gifted Child Program for elementary students in Newport. In 1998, the |
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1 | Newport School Board selected Dr. Coulombe to be the first female Superintendent of the |
2 | Newport School Department, a position she held for four years until her retirement in 2001. |
3 | Mercedes, even in retirement, never stopped giving back to the city and community she loved so |
4 | much. Shortly after retiring, she established the Mercedes S. Coulombe Scholarship, which is |
5 | awarded annually to students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills; and |
6 | WHEREAS, Dr. Mercedes Coulombe was a lifelong member of Jesus Savior Church, |
7 | serving her parish as a Sunday school teacher and as a member of the Parish Council. She was |
8 | also a long time member of the Portuguese-American Federation and served as its secretary. Dr. |
9 | Coulombe was a long-time supporter of Newport Hospital, giving generously of her time and |
10 | resources. She also supported numerous other charities in Newport County and served on the |
11 | Board of the Bank of Newport. In her free time, she enjoyed travelling the world with her family |
12 | and friends, reading, and the recreational activities of boating and skiing; and |
13 | WHEREAS, Mercedes Santos Coulombe is survived by her husband Robert, their three |
14 | children, Mercedes, Bob and Triste, and grandchildren Jaime, Nicolas, Missy, Daniel, Kylie, |
15 | Ciara and Megan; now, therefore be it |
16 | RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and |
17 | Providence Plantations hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the Coulombe Family on the |
18 | passing of Mercedes Santos Coulombe; and be it further |
19 | RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
20 | transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Robert R. Coulombe, Sr. |
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LC005537 | |
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