We lost a very special and amazing person on November 16, 2021. Theresa Rose (Malouin) Miller, 93 years old, passed away peacefully at the Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where she had resided for the past four years. Theresa was born and raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, one of 15 children of Isidore Philippe and Juliette Malouin. She loved to reminisce about her life growing up on Arcadia Avenue, attending Immaculate Conception School, St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School and especially St. Margaret’s School of Nursing in Dorchester, MA where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1950.

 

Theresa began her nursing career as a maternity nurse at the Lucy Helen Hospital and later at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg. She greatly enjoyed being a nurse, and often did private duty care and later worked at Hillcrest Nursing Home giving special care and attention to each resident.

 

In 1951, Theresa attended a USO dance where she met Vincent Miller, an Army soldier stationed at Fort Devens. Vincent was the love of Theresa’s life, and the couple married in 1953. Theresa and Vincent had eight children and family was everything to them. Theresa loved to travel, and together she and Vincent enjoyed numerous road trips with their children. In 1974 they took a special month long trip to Europe planned by Vincent. In later years she chaperoned many yearly trips to France with the St. Bernard’s students and Sr. Constantine.

 

After Vincent died in 1975, Theresa raised their eight children on her own and what a wonderful job she did!  Theresa’s real joy in life was her eight children, and her thirteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. She loved spending time with all of them.

 

Theresa loved dancing, playing cards, Bingo, Foxwoods, watching The Price is Right and listening to music, especially Dame Vera Lynn. Her favorite foods were tomato sandwiches, corn on the cob and drinking coffee.

 

Theresa was a Gold Star Wife, volunteered at Our Father’s Table and was a member of the Lunenburg Senior Center and the Fitchburg Senior Center for many years.

 

Theresa is survived by her children, Katie Miller and husband John Magane of Portsmouth, NH, Patti Washburn and husband Mark of Ashburnham, Suzie Kowaleski of Winchendon, Joseph Miller of Winchendon, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and her sons in law Mike Dufault and Craig Leger. Her children Marylou Miller, Lisa Miller, Diane Dufault and Michele (Keke) Leger and two special granddaughters, Sara and Jamie Lynn predeceased her.

 

Theresa is also survived by her two brothers, Omer Malouin of San Antonio, Texas and Gerard Malouin of Cary, North Carolina, and sister Madeleine Julius of Winchester, MA.

 

Her funeral will be held on Monday, November 22,2021 with a Mass at 11a.m. in St. Denis Church, 85 Main St. Ashburnham, MA . Calling hours are Sunday, November 21,2021 at the funeral home from 3 until 5:30p.m. and all are welcome to attend. A mask is suggested for both the calling hours and at Mass. If you plan to attend  the Mass ,please meet at church on Monday.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Eagle House Supporters INC., 25 Memorial Drive, Lunenburg, MA 01462.

 

“We'll meet again

Don't know where

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.”

 

Composed by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles

Sung by Dame Vera Lynn

 

The Lavery Chartrand Alario Funeral Home 99 Summer St. Fitchburg is directing. Michael S. Alario – Director – Owner.