2015

AUBURN — Therese L. Perrier passed on peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 5, after a short heart illness with her caregiver by her side at the Hospice House in Auburn, to be with her beloved Maman, Papa, Conrad, Marcel and sister, Glorianne, all of whom predeceased her.

She was born in Lewiston, the daughter of Philias and Alma (Gosselin) Perrier and graduated from Lewiston High School. She went on to become a telephone operator for New England Telephone Co. where she retired in 1977.

After her retirement, she went on to enjoy time with her family, and she spent winters at the family home in Hallandale, Fla. She was an avid dancer and would spend her Saturday evenings out on the dance floor, whenever she could.

The most important part of Therese’s life was spent being a caregiver for her beloved brother, Conrad, who was wounded by friendly fire in the Korean War and as a result, was confined to a wheelchair for 55 years. She also took classes to become a registered certified nursing assistant to care for her Maman at home after she became bedridden from a stroke in her later years. She was always quick to remind everyone that her Maman was not only her mother, but also her best friend!

Therese remained home all of her life for her parents, by choice, as she loved to say. While at home, she enjoyed sewing, making most, if not all, of her own clothing. She also enjoyed gardening and could perform most maintenance-related tasks around the house that needed to be done.

She was always so proud to remind everyone that she had never been to a doctor or hospital during her long, healthy life. She was a loving and caring person who was always quick to send a bouquet of flowers to any one of her friends who had any type of misfortune or illness in their lives. She was also one of the most devout Catholics one could ever find and never missed her Sunday Mass. She still climbed the steps to Holy Cross Church, even though her knees became very painful in her later years.

Over the past several years, Therese needed help to take care of her two homes, one in Lewiston, and one in Florida. Therese would always say how blessed she was to have met two wonderful caregivers, Richard Theberge in Maine and Darrin Hundley in Florida, who allowed her the enjoyment of summers in Maine and winters in Florida. We must also mention her beloved neighbor and wonderful cook, Teline Vyr, for her great meals she would carry across the street daily for Therese, as well as keep an eye on the house when she was away in Florida.

Besides her parents and siblings that predeceased her, her survivors include a godchild, little Therese Caltrider of Maryland, who continues in her godmother’s tradition of caring and love for family. Deborah Magee of Alabama, the lifelong partner of her predeceased sister, Glorianne, would call Therese every night at 7 p.m. to check on her, continuing the same tradition that Glorianne began several years ago.

A big thank-you to the staff at the Hospice House in Auburn for the loving care they provided Therese during her final hours of life and to Donna, her home health nurse.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.