She was born June 24, 1924, in Biddeford, a daughter of Omer and Yvonne (Bouffard) Martel, and was educated at St. Andre’s School.
On June 22, 1946, she married Raymond “Papoose” Blais in St. Andre’s Church. They were married 64 years and together raised five children. She worked in the Saco-Lowell Shops until leaving there to care for her growing family.
Therese had been a lifelong member of St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford. She was a very caring person, who always looked out for others. Because of her great sense of humor, everyone in contact with her enjoyed her company. She enjoyed birdwatching, cooking, playing cards, crocheting, crosswords, word search and jigsaw puzzles, but even more, she loved caring for her grandchildren; she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister whose greatest joy was spending time with her family. She will be sadly missed.
She was preceded in death by: Raymond, her husband of 64 years, in 2011, one brother, Lionel Martel, two sisters, Florence Letarte, and Gertrude Lamontagne, and one daughter-in-law, Georgette Blais in 2012.
She is survived by: four daughters, Diane Roberge and her husband Joseph of Arundel, Carol Riche and her husband Robert of Lyman, Nancy Gagne and her husband Rodney of Biddeford, and Aline Larochelle and her husband David of Biddeford; one son, Roger Blais and his wife Debra of Biddeford, three brothers, Marcel G. Martel of Saco, and Fernand Martel and Charles Martel of Biddeford, three sisters, Gabrielle Beaulieu, Jacqueline Dion and her husband Renald, and Rachel Gendron, all of Biddeford; 10 grandchildren; 13 greatgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at Hope Memorial Chapel 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Friday at St. Joseph’s Church in Biddeford. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford. Memorial donations in Therese’s name may be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road Scarborough, ME 04074. To share condolences online, please visit www.hopememorial.com.
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