Beatrice Thenault

She was born in Washington, D.C. in May 1931, the daughter of Bowman McCalla MacArthur and Beatrice Ashmead Littlefield. She graduated from Holton-Arms School and attended classes at both the Washington School for Secretaries and the Sorbonne in Paris. During her early career in Washington, D.C., she delivered briefs to the Supreme Court and worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. While living in Paris, she met her future husband, Georges Spencer Thenault.

They were married in 1955 and together raised their children in Salem, Massachusetts, where they were active members of Grace Church. In Salem, Beatrice also worked at the settlement house associated with the House of the Seven Gables and was active in the Eastern Yacht Club and the Busy Bees sewing circle.

In her early 40’s, she lived in France outside of Paris with her family. Throughout her life, she maintained a love of the French language and culture and she returned to France several times, including trips with her grandchildren.

After retirement, she and Georges relocated to Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, where they attended St. David’s Episcopal Church in South Yarmouth. She became an active golfer at King’s Way in Yarmouth Port and was an avid bridge player until the end. She did the crossword puzzle religiously and loved to watch a good mystery.

In her later years, Beatrice joined the First Congregational Church of Yarmouth where she was active in the church ministries and community. She attended online Bible study with both FCC Yarmouth and Church Beyond the Walls.

Beatrice, known affectionately over the years as Muffin, Fifi, Bea, and Noney, was devoted to her family and friends. She always kept a welcoming home for multiple generations, was endlessly generous, and was quick to offer help to others. She was a woman of action and lived by her high school motto, “inveniam aut viam aut faciam” meaning “I will find a way or make one.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Georges Spencer Thenault. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Thenault of Providence, Rhode Island, and her son, Georges Thenault of New Smyrna Beach, Florida; seven grandchildren—Elizabeth, Emily (Josiah), and Spencer Kemp; Sarah Tatjana Thenault; Margaux Thenault-Taylor (Ryan); Savannah Thenault; and Thomas Thenault— three great-grandchildren: Isla and Miles Taylor, and River Rhodes – and nephew Olivier Deudon (sons Jason and Ben); nieces Laurence, Claire, and Céline and their families.

A celebration of her life is planned for Friday, October 10th at 11 AM at First Congregational Church at 329 MA-6A, Yarmouth Port, MA. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to First Congregational Church Missions Ministry (Fund > Other > Missions Ministry (Beatrice Thenault)) or Church Beyond the Walls.