HOUSE RESOLUTION EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF RUTH ANN DESMARAIS

H7510

2026 -- H 7510
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LC004822
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF RUTH ANN DESMARAIS

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Chippendale,
Kennedy, Ajello, Tanzi, Shallcross Smith, Fellela, and Boylan

Date Introduced:
February 05, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, It is with sadness that this House has learned of the passing of Ruth
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Desmarais, the beloved wife of the late Archie Desmarais, and the devoted mother of Susan
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Thompson and her husband, Mark; and
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WHEREAS, Ruth Desmarais was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, the daughter of the
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late Manuel and Frances Rebello, and the sister of the late Lorraine Sousa Williams, Robert
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Rebello and his partner, Janet Aurelio, Jean Carroll and her late husband, Timothy, and John
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Rebello and his wife, Sharon. She also had a large and loving extended family including her
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nephews, Justin and Jordan Rebello, and her niece and nephew, Cathi-Jo Finnerty and Walter
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Sousa Jr, as well as many additional nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and
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WHEREAS, Selfless and kind, Mrs. Desmarais’ “unwavering commitment to her family”
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created a warm and loving home, where she took great pleasure in hosting annual Christmas Eve
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gatherings, and spoiling her beloved grandchildren, Rebecca, Raffaella, and Zachary Thompson,
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and her little dog, Nala; and
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WHEREAS, Guided by her faith, Mrs. Desmarias was a devout parishioner of St.
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Margaret Church where she taught CCD, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. She also coached
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Rumford Little League girls’ softball teams. Ruth was a diehard New York Yankees fan and
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rarely missed watching a game; and
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WHEREAS, Ruth was a trusted, valued, hard-working, and beloved staff member of the
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House of Representatives for 11 years. She served as executive assistant to Speaker Gordon Fox
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and to House Finance Chairs. She also worked as a Legal Secretary at the Al DiFiore Law Office

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for thirty-five years. Throughout her service at both the State House and as a Legal Secretary,
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she “took great pride in being someone others relied on”. A steadfast Democrat, Ruth's dedication
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to public service and her party's principles was unwavering and reflected in all aspects of her
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professional and personal life. She was a strong, loyal, smart, responsive, and dedicated
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employee. Her coworkers appreciated her candor, toughness, and sense of humor. She had the
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ability to be refreshingly blunt. Yet, she was extremely compassionate and had a heart of gold;
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and
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WHEREAS, The matriarch of her family, Ruth Desmarais was faith-filled, intelligent,
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strong-willed, resilient, and truly beloved by all who knew her, and she is dearly missed; now,
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therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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extends deepest condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Ruth Ann Desmarais; and
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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 Susan Thompson and Family.
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