Theresa Anita (Rivard) Ouellette

On Saturday, January 27, 2024, we said goodbye to our beloved mother, sister and mémère, Theresa Anita Ouellette, 97, lifelong resident of Sanford/Springvale, Maine.  Surrounded by family singing hymns and reminiscing, she experienced a very peaceful death.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Laura and Henri Rivard and her beloved husband of fifty-seven years, Leo J. Ouellette, also of Sanford. Nine of her thirteen siblings have also passed on.  She is survived by her twin sisters Mary Ann Theriault and husband Leland of Sanford and Mary Jane Brochu of Port St. Lucy, FL; her brother Ronald Rivard and wife Rita of Shapleigh, her children, Robert and his wife Janelle of Clermont, FL, Pauline Lebel and husband Richard of Auburn, MA, David and his wife Martha of Skowhegan, ME. The grandchildren are Christine Lebel Mason, David and Timothy Lebel, Danielle Ouellette Brady and Michelle Ouellette Beebe. And two great-grandchildren, Lia and Reid Brady.

Among family members she is often fondly remembered as a prayer warrior.  She had a personal connection to our creator, spending much time with Him in the scriptures and in the garden.  To God be the glory. She showed love for her family in all that she did, but especially followed her own mother’s example as a peacekeeper.

Theresa lived her entire life as a true child of God and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.  As a faithful congregant at Bethel Christian Church in North Berwick, she especially loved the singing of hymns.  But the passion for Christian music also carried her to several local rest homes where she, her guitar and a few other musicians entertained residents each Saturday morning for nineteen years.  After that part of the visit, she would go room to room, bringing so many residents and staff to Jesus and salvation.  Theresa would say “I’m spending my time in the nursing home now so that I won’t have to when I’m old.”  And God answered her prayer.

Most conversations would include memories of the family farm where Theresa grew up.  Purchased in 1926, it was the year of her birth, and she was the first child born on the farm. Oh, what a wonderful life she remembered!  Preferring to work in the garden rather than in the kitchen, she would remain an outdoor person all her life.  At age sixty she climbed Mount Chocorua to celebrate her birthday; and right up to her ninetieth year she was walking three miles a day.  Theresa and Leo built a camp for the family on Mousam Lake where she enjoyed outdoor activities each weekend.  She focused on family fun there.  And after teaching herself to swim, she taught all three children the skill of swimming.

Besides walking, Theresa enjoyed her pet cats, sewing, knitting and quilting and family reunions large and small.  Activities such as canning, making root beer and hosting lobster feeds contributed to a family-centered life. 

Such is the legacy of Theresa A. Ouellette.  Her story lives on in the hearts and lives of those she left behind.  She would tell us all “Don’t give up. God’s not done with us yet.”

A time of visitation will be held Saturday, February 3 from 12 noon to 1pm at the Bethel Christian Church, 129 Lower Main Street, North Berwick, ME immediately followed by funeral services at 1pm.  Interment will be in the spring in Hillside Cemetery, North Berwick, ME. 

Condolences are entrusted to the Johnson Funeral Home, 26 Market Street, North Berwick, ME. Condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com

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