Sally E Poulin

Sally Elizabeth Poulin, 81, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, surrounded by her family, following complications from a fall in February.

She was born on January 29, 1945, in New Haven, Vermont, to Ken and Hilda (Murray) Coleman. In 1956, Sally moved with her family to Manchaug, Massachusetts, where she would spend much of her life before moving to Northbridge.

Sally was married twice and was the devoted mother of five children. For most of her adult life, she was a single parent who worked tirelessly to ensure her children were always cared for and provided for to the best of her ability.

She had a deep love for the outdoors and took great pride in her yard work. Sally also enjoyed traveling and camping with her family, making many cherished trips to Amish Country in Pennsylvania, as well as camping adventures in New York, New Hampshire, and especially Maine in later years. She loved the beach and treasured watching her family grow. She was known for her playful spirit, including her famously “cheating” at boogie board races in the ocean.

Sally was truly a jack of all trades. She worked as a hat maker at the Knowlton Hat Factory in Upton, a line worker at the Riverdale paper mill—near where she purchased her first home on Puddon Street—and as a chambermaid at the Pleasant View Motor Lodge in Sutton. She also served as a foster parent, reflecting her compassion and desire to help others. Later, she worked for the Mendon-Upton School District as a teacher’s aide in the after-school program until she was forced into retirement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sally was predeceased by her son, David Rivers; her daughter, Andrea Poulin; her sisters, Jane Bousquet and Ann Coleman; and her parents, Ken and Hilda Coleman.

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Smith of Barre, Massachusetts; her granddaughter, Kelly Smith, great grandson Tre of Whitinsville, Massachusetts; her grandsons, Dan Smith of Southbridge, Massachusetts, and Tyler Smith of New Mexico; her daughter, Lana Laczka (Brian Sr.) of Upton, Massachusetts; her granddaughter, Jessica Sueltenfuss (Pete), along with great-grandchildren Nicholas and Madeleine of Portland, Maine; her grandson, Brian Jr. of Upton, Massachusetts; and her son, Kenneth Rivers (Sherry) of Swansea, Massachusetts; as well as her grandson, Travis Hughes (Chelsea) of Milton, Florida, and great-granddaughter Kodi Rai Hughes, along with two step-grandsons.

A private burial with immediate family will be held at a later date at St. Patrick Cemetery in Whitinsville, Massachusetts.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service and celebration of life, which will be announced at a later date. Nordgren Memorial Chapel is honored to assist family with arrangements.