Mariette (Perron) Bedard, age 93, of Swansea, MA, passed away on December 21, 2022. An antiquarian book and map dealer, she ran Tyson’s Old and Rare Books in Providence for 42 years before closing the bookshop in 2012. She continued the business online until she retired several years ago.
Active in the antiquarian book world, Mariette was a charter member of the MA and RI Antiquarian Booksellers Association and a frequent exhibitor at Boston book fairs. She was also a member of the Bartlett Society, the American-French Genealogical Society, and libraries and historical societies in RI, Swansea, and Fall River.
Mariette loved hunting for rare books, maps, and other historical printed materials sought by her customers—avid collectors, scholars, and book lovers of all types—and by family and friends. She especially enjoyed working with local libraries, museums, and historical societies, contributing to and helping expand their special collections of early Americana.
Daughter of Delima (Gaudreau) and Frank X. Perron, Mariette was raised in Fall River. She graduated from Jesus Mary Academy and earned a business degree from Bryant College. After working for the family agency, Frank X. Perron Insurance, she attended Pembroke College (now Brown University) where she developed her interest in early Americana, an interest that became her specialty and passion.
She and her late husband of 66 years, George A. Bedard, lived in Swansea where they raised their family and were longtime members of the Coles River Club. She is survived by her daughter Nancy Stigers of CoIumbus, OH; two sons, David (Michelle) of Warren, and Peter (Julia) of Fall River; six grandchildren, Cameron (Chandler), Dru, Tate, Tess, Mallory (Kyle), and Abby (Devon); and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Mariette’s life will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in her honor to the Swansea Public Library or your local library or historical society.
