October 12, 2016
Carol F. Bedard; SCE special lecturer received two honors from Dominican Order
Carol F. (Foley) Bedard, a special lecturer in the School of Continuing Education (SCE) and a counselor who was honored twice by the Dominican Order, died on Aug. 29, 2016.
Mrs. Bedard taught in the SCE for more than 25 years, including the Death and Dying course from 1991 to 2010. Many of her students expressed appreciation for her compassionate approach to teaching and guiding her students in such a personal and emotional topic, said Madeleine A. Metzler, associate dean of the SCE.
Mrs. Bedard also developed and offered a seminar for the SCE’s fire science students and the firefighter community at large — Facing Grief: A Firefighter’s Vigil — in the aftermath of The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, R.I. The blaze in February 2003 killed 100 people and injured 230 others.
For more than 40 years, Mrs. Bedard volunteered to assist and plan for the care of friars in the College’s Dominican community as their health and aging needs arose. Her relationship with the friars came about as a result of her father’s friendship with the late Rev. Mathew F. Morry, O.P. ’46, a professor of philosophy.
Through Father Morry, she was introduced to Brother Ignatius Perkins, O.P., who has been involved with the health and care needs of friars in the Dominican Province of St. Joseph for decades. When the province established a Health Affairs Advisory Committee around 1990, Brother Ignatius asked the provincial to appoint Mrs. Bedard to the committee.
The Dominicans recognized her longstanding service twice, first awarding her the Laudare Medal many years ago. Last year, the Order’s Benemerenti Medal was bestowed on Mrs. Bedard.
Born in Providence, Mrs. Bedard graduated from the Roger Williams Hospital School of Nursing, Assumption College, and Roger Williams University. She also held master’s degrees from Assumption College.
Certified in rehabilitation, counseling, and grief counseling, Mrs. Bedard worked in the areas of nursing, education, and hospital administration throughout her life.
Among her positions, she served as the executive nurse of state hospitals in Rhode Island and was a consultant in accreditation standards for nursing homes and extended-care facilities.
Mrs. Bedard was the husband of the late Brig. Gen. Normand L. Bedard ’71, U.S. Army Reserve (ret.). She leaves several extended family members and many dear colleagues and friends.
Her life was celebrated at a Mass of Christian Burial on Sept. 3 in St. John Vianney Church, Cumberland, R.I. Burial was in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter.
