Lucille Beatrice (LaPlante) Pimentel

December 5, 1930 – August 19, 2025

Lucille Beatrice LaPlante Pimentel, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Tuesday, August 19, at home with her family by her bedside, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, faith, and music that touched hearts near and far.

Born on December 5, 1930, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Eugene A. and Beatrice Demers LaPlante, Lucille was widowed after 44 wonderful years with her beloved husband, Octave S. Pimentel, married on Feb. 11, 1956.

Lucille lived a life anchored in devotion to God, to her family, to her students, and to everyone blessed to know her.

A gifted scholar from an early age, Lucille excelled in her education, becoming valedictorian of both St. Anthony High School and Rivier University, where she majored in French and minored in Education, and was a member of the Delta Epsilon Honor Society.

Lucille had a deep love for learning and a true passion for teaching, which took her on an incredible journey of both academic and spiritual growth. During her junior year of college, she studied at the Catholic University in Fribourg, Switzerland. She later earned her Master of Education from Bridgewater State University. Always eager to expand her knowledge, she also took extension classes at Providence College and the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

Her spiritual education was just as impressive. She studied at the Presentation Ministries Bible Institute at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the International School of Catholic Evangelization in Pensacola, Florida. She completed the Pastoral Care Certification through the Chaplaincy Program at St. Luke's Hospital and attended Holy Spirit Workshops at Holy Redeemer College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

After graduation, Lucille worked as a travel agent for three years. She taught in Dartmouth Public Schools for 3 years, and over two decades in the New Bedford Public Schools, dedicating herself especially to special education.

Lucille's musical journey was as rich and vibrant as her faith. She was a devoted choir member at both St. Anthony Church in New Bedford and St. George Church in Dartmouth/Westport, where her voice added beauty to every service. She directed the Cape Chorders Barbershop Chorus in New Bedford and sang with the Blendelles Barbershop Quartet, sharing joy through harmony.

As a talented baritone, she performed with the Rhode Island Sound Chorus, achieving 3rd place internationally, and with the Summer Sounds Quartet, where they earned 1st place novice and 3rd place international honors. Lucille also brought the spirit of Christmas alive each year by directing heartfelt Christmas Cantatas at St. George Church, touching countless hearts with her musical gifts.

With her beloved husband Octave, Lucille embraced the world as a traveler and did several round-the-world pilgrimages with the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, traveled by sea on several cruises in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Alaska. From cross-country RV adventures to spiritual pilgrimages across Europe and the Americas, she found God’s presence everywhere from mountaintops to sacred shrines.

Lucille was a Faithful Prayer Warrior. In 1978 she and her husband joined the Catholic Charismatic Movement and traveled to many conferences and attended many prayer groups. She was a prayer group leader in her home since the 1980's. She was anointed to give many Life in the Spirit Seminars as well as Divine Healing Seminars ministering to the hearts of countless souls.

She gave freely of her time, volunteering at Sacred Heart Nursing Home and mentoring others in faith, love, and resilience, and opened her home to many who were in need of a place to live.

She held healing services as well as taught Confirmation classes at St. George Church in Westport, MA. Lucille also conducted many pilgrimages to Europe and Fatima, and shrines in Quebec, Canada.

Above all, Lucille was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She leaves behind her loving children: Suzanne M. Lafferty and her husband Andy, Eugene A. Pimentel and his wife Rosemary, and Andre L. Pimentel and his wife Nancy, all of Dartmouth, MA. Her legacy lives on through her cherished grandchildren: Charles J. Schestak III, who was a constant source of strength and care to her, Ryan Grandmaison, Kyle Grandmaison, Zachary Pimentel, Justin Cole, Zachary Coty, and Jane Coty.

Lucille's life was a melody of kindness, wisdom, and deep faith. She taught by example how to live with compassion, how to give with joy, and how to love without limit. Her presence was a blessing, and her memory will forever be a treasure.

Visitation will be Friday 4-7 p.m. Her funeral will be Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. from the Waring-Sullivan Home at Dartmouth, 230 Russells Mills Rd., Dartmouth followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Divine Mercy Parish (St. George Church) 12 Highland Ave., Westport. Burial will be Sacred Heart Cemetery, 559 Mt. Pleasant St., New Bedford on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.

PLEASE DO THE FAMILY THE HONOR OF SHARING YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES, STORIES, AND PHOTOS VIA THE LINK BELOW. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE INCLUDED IN A MEMORIAL BOOK AND WILL HONOR THE LEGACY OF A GREAT WOMAN. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS BOOK IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.