She was born Therese Rosilda Desrochers in Biddeford on July 17, 1925, to parents Ernest Desrochers and Delia Gagne Desrochers. She attended St. Andre’s Catholic School in Biddeford.
On June 17, 1947, she married Oliver Bergeron Jr., former City of Biddeford assistant fire chief. They raised three sons; Leo, Ronald, and Steven. They spent summers camping at Little Ossipee Lake where they enjoyed gathering with many family members around the camp fire, playing music and singing. Oliver passed away on July 25, 1975.
On June 10, 1988, Terry married Richard Googins Jr. of Scarborough. He passed away on Jan. 24, 2011.
Terry was also preceded in death by: her parents; a son, Leo Bergeron; three brothers, Gerard, Robert and Lionel Desrochers; and two sisters, Simonne Bisson and Rolande Petit.
Terry worked at Keslen Shoe Shop and Gabriel Electric (Maremont), retiring in 1981. She also volunteered at St. Andre’s School hot lunch program. Terry was a communicant of Good Shepherd Parish/St. Margaret’s Church where she sat in the same pew every Saturday at the 4 p.m. Mass. She loved helping with the annual Christmas Fair, and she was well known for making the best fudge, which sold out every year at the fair.
Terry lived an active life. In her youth she could be found dancing, ice skating at Westbrook Skating Rink, or shopping with her sisters and laughing all the way home. She loved to walk from Pine Point Beach to the Old Orchard Beach Pier and back, spending time with family, reading, playing poker, and eating Huot’s onion rings and fish chowder. She enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and attended yearly pilgrimages to Canada.
In March 2009, Terry moved to the Inn at Atlantic Heights Assisted Living. In 2013, she moved to Seal Rock Atlantic Heights. She was very content and happy to be a resident and especially enjoyed their weekly wine and cheese social.
Terry is survived by: her son, Ronald Bergeron and his wife, Claire, of Biddeford, son, Steven Bergeron of Las Vegas; stepsons, Stanley, Keith, and Ricky Googins; sister, Stella Forcier and her husband, Ben, of Biddeford, sister, Maddy Thibeault and her husband, Normand, of Saco; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Terry was well known for her feisty personality and her laughter could be heard from across the room. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, caregivers and all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Parish, 271 Main St., Saco, ME 04072 or Beacon Hospice, 54 Atlantic Place South Portland, ME 04106.
Per her wishes there will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in the spring at St. Joseph Cemetery in Biddeford. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco.
To view Therese’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit cotefuneralhome.com.
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