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June 7, 2001 By Audrey Oswald Andrée Cecile Antoinette Thoresen, better known as Dédée, of Newport, died peacefully at Newport Hospital on May 13, 2001. She was born on November 6, 1906 in France. She leaves her husband, Jon, to whom she was married nearly 65 years. She was the mother of the late Arild Thoresen, who died two months before in France. Dédée’s mother was Antoinette Sherman Gerard, the daughter of Frederick Sherman, brother of William Watts Sherman, formerly of Shepard Avenue in Newport. Dédée’s father, Georges Abd–el–Messih Bey, was a dashing Egyptian who was killed in a polo accident when she was just 17 years old. fter marrying her Norwegian husband, Jon, whose family owned the Thoresen shipping line, the two lived for many years in France where he was a member of the American Field Service during World War II. Having experienced wartime, Dédée told many stories of "just missing capture" by the Germans. However, many of the couple’s valuables were taken from their home as one of the unfortunate consequences of war. "But at least," as Dédée would say, "the family escaped to safety, which was the most important." For several years, the Thoresens lived in Gstaad, Switzerland, where Jon managed the Eagle Club, the renowned skiing club perched near the summit of the Wasserngrat mountain. Dédée made friends wherever she went and never had a negative word to say about anyone. Her civility and kindness rubbed off on everyone who knew her. All of her many Sherman and Foster cousins, as well as her many friends will miss her deeply. and send their support to her husband, Jon, as well as a pat and "big kiss" to Sandy, the Thoresen’s cherished Daschund. |