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

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Abney, Martin, and DeSimone

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, It is with sadness and regret that this House has learned of the passing of Dr.

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Mercedes Santos Coulombe on April 19, 2014; and

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     WHEREAS, Dr. Coulombe was a lifelong resident of Newport, Rhode Island. She was

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born in 1933, the youngest child of Joseph and Mercedes Santos. She graduated from St.

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Catherine Academy in Newport in 1951, and thereafter matriculated at the College of Our Lady

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of the Elms in Massachusetts, where she graduated Cum Laude. It was at this time that she

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discovered her passion for teaching and education and shortly thereafter, began her distinguished

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professional career as an elementary school teacher in Agawam, Massachusetts. It was also at this

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time that she met and married the love of her life, Robert R. Coulombe, Sr. Together they

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returned to Newport and had three children, Mercedes C. Mellekas, Robert R. Coulombe, Jr., and

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Dr. Triste M. Coulombe; and

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     WHEREAS, Upon her return to Newport, Dr. Coulombe began her lifelong employment

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with the Newport School Department. Being a devoted and exemplary teacher, she quickly rose

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through the ranks. She became a Principal at Coggeshall Elementary School and was highly

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regarded and praised for the diligence, dedication and innovative ideas she brought with her to

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work every day in her duties as Principal; and

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     WHEREAS, In 1989, she obtained a Doctorate of Education degree from Nova

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University. In her position as Head of Curriculum, she was instrumental in the development and

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implementation of the Gifted Child Program for elementary students in Newport. In 1998, the

 

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Newport School Board selected Dr. Coulombe to be the first female Superintendent of the

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Newport School Department, a position she held for four years until her retirement in 2001.

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Mercedes, even in retirement, never stopped giving back to the city and community she loved so

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much. Shortly after retiring, she established the Mercedes S. Coulombe Scholarship, which is

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awarded annually to students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills; and

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     WHEREAS, Dr. Mercedes Coulombe was a lifelong member of Jesus Savior Church,

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serving her parish as a Sunday school teacher and as a member of the Parish Council. She was

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also a long time member of the Portuguese-American Federation and served as its secretary. Dr.

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Coulombe was a long-time supporter of Newport Hospital, giving generously of her time and

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resources. She also supported numerous other charities in Newport County and served on the

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Board of the Bank of Newport. In her free time, she enjoyed travelling the world with her family

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and friends, reading, and the recreational activities of boating and skiing; and

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     WHEREAS, Mercedes Santos Coulombe is survived by her husband Robert, their three

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children, Mercedes, Bob and Triste, and grandchildren Jaime, Nicolas, Missy, Daniel, Kylie,

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Ciara and Megan; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby expresses its deepest condolences to the Coulombe Family on the

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passing of Mercedes Santos Coulombe; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Robert R. Coulombe, Sr.

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LC005537

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