Obituary of Dailyn Boudreau

Dailyn A. Boudreau, 81, of Seabrook Island, SC, died on January 13, 2021. She was the daughter of Edward and Louise Doyle and sister of Edaina Parrillo. She leaves her husband, William J. Boudreau, three sons, William P. of Newport, RI, Edward G. of Chestnut Hill, MA, and Stephen B. of Seabrook Island, SC, as well as daughter-in-law Steffani and two grandsons, Brady and Kyle.

Dailyn was a homemaker, a special needs teacher and a well-loved supporting wife of her diplomat husband.  Reared in a family of artists, she was employed on the creative side of Paramount Greeting Cards prior to being inveigled to join her new fiancée as a married couple in Africa.  At home in Massachusetts, she drew on her artistic talent to motivate young early-grade students. She was acclaimed for her compassion and patience while teaching special needs students in their early years of schooling. Born in Barrington, RI, and raised in Swansea, MA, Dailyn also resided in Washington, DC, Swampscott, MA and several European and African locations.

Dailyn entered an unknown and unpredictable future when she accepted Bill’s marriage proposal during Jack Kennedy’s presidential inauguration. Though engaged, Bill left her for his first Foreign Service assignment in Tunisia. The couple reunited in Rome, Italy, a few months later for their wedding.  Following their honeymoon across Italy, they arrived in Tunis and their rented a villa in Carthage located on the Punic Ports.  Dailyn had to make numerous adjustments, i.e., being away from home, marriage, living in a foreign country, Muslim culture, a new language, diplomacy and soon motherhood.  She readily accepted all challenges and did herself and her husband proud, carrying on her valuable supporting role in Bill’s diplomatic career, while raising their three children. She displayed her mettle while in the Congo, as life became ever-more threatening during the white mercenary rebellion. Dailyn was steadfast when her husband left on some diplomatic missions, taking care of her three sons and the homestead. She became a well loved and respected hostess, as well as a valuable asset on the social scene. While in Geneva, Switzerland, she accepted Bill’s challenge to join him and others in a square dance group, performing publicly with verve.

A graduate of Case High School and Vermont College, Dailyn came to tennis later in life and became a staunch devotee.  Encouraged by her husband to pick up the sport to play well enough for social mixed doubles on Sundays, she accepted the challenge.  Through persistence, her hidden talent was unmasked, leading her to club and area championships in Mass and SC. She played for numerous teams in league tennis at both locations, including making it to the SC state semi-finals in mixed doubles with her husband.

Thanks to the St. Francis Hospital and Roper Hospice Cottages for their excellent care, performed with competence and compassion. Funeral arrangements are private and arranged by Simplicity Cremation & Burial Services.