Obituary for Therese Mansfield (Therrien)
Thérèse Elizabeth Mansfield (Therrien), an extraordinary wife, mom, grandma and sister, age 98, passed away peacefully the morning of Friday, December 18, 2020 at The Converse Home in Burlington, VT.
Thérèse was born on April 12, 1922 in Dorion, Québec, Canada to William and Caroline (Castonguay) Therrien and was the oldest of six children. She received an Associate's degree in business and started her career at Gatineau, a power company, in her hometown. She first met the love of her life, John William Mansfield, as a child when he would visit his aunts' in Dorion, who happened to be neighbors with Thérèse's family. Throughout the years, John continued his visits to aunts' place and Thérèse knew him as the 'American'. It was not until John enlisted as a WWII soldier in 1940, when he and Thérèse started exchanging love letters while he was stationed in the South Pacific. They married on April 12, 1947 in Dorion, Québec, and shortly afterwards, moved to Burlington, VT and started their life together.
Thérèse worked for Dr. Louis Thabault as a receptionist and at McAuliffe's in Burlington, VT. She was a devoted Catholic and a parishioner of St. Francis Xavier's Church and belonged to the Mother's Club and St. Anne's Society as well as the Winooski Historical Society. After she retired, she spent many years as a volunteer at the Winooski Library and The Converse Home.
Thérèse was an avid knitter, most always found with a pair of needles in her hands, making socks, hats, mittens, sweaters, and blankets for her family and friends along with an accomplishment of knitting hundreds of sweaters for children in need. She also loved to be outside. In the summer, you could always find her reading under her favorite maple tree at her home and later in her life in the gardens at The Converse Home.
Thérèse was always happiest when her family was together. She lived for holiday gatherings and birthday parties, especially hers! She was the only member of her family who emigrated to the United States but remained proud of her Canadian heritage. Her children were raised bi-lingual, her doorbell rang to the tune of Frère Jacques, and she never missed the chance to speak French. Thérèse's family will miss her unwavering love, gift of gab, inquisitive nature, laughter, zest for life and humor most as they continue without her.
Thérèse is predeceased by her parents, husband and siblings, her brothers Maurice Therrien and his wife Therese, Jean Pierre Therrien and his wife Denise, her brother Guy Therrien, her brother Benoit Therrien and his wife Lilliane, her sister Pierette Dagenais and her husband Jean Louis and her son-in-law Alfred Brunelle. She will continue to be loved and remembered by her devoted children Louise Brunelle (Mansfield) of Williston, VT and David Mansfield and his wife Aline of Milton, VT, her sister-in-law Georgeline Therrien, her four grandchildren and great grandchildren Justin Mansfield and his wife Sarah and their daughters Elise and Caroline, Renee Moore and her husband Nick and their children Liam and Adele, Scott Brunelle, Susan Brunelle and her daughter Olivia. Thérèse will also be remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Thérèse's family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and dedicated nurses and staff at The Converse Home who cared for her every week and ensured that she aged and passed with grace, dignity, and respect.
Services and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Arrangement are in the care of LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main Street, Winooski, VT 05404.
Thérèse was born on April 12, 1922 in Dorion, Québec, Canada to William and Caroline (Castonguay) Therrien and was the oldest of six children. She received an Associate's degree in business and started her career at Gatineau, a power company, in her hometown. She first met the love of her life, John William Mansfield, as a child when he would visit his aunts' in Dorion, who happened to be neighbors with Thérèse's family. Throughout the years, John continued his visits to aunts' place and Thérèse knew him as the 'American'. It was not until John enlisted as a WWII soldier in 1940, when he and Thérèse started exchanging love letters while he was stationed in the South Pacific. They married on April 12, 1947 in Dorion, Québec, and shortly afterwards, moved to Burlington, VT and started their life together.
Thérèse worked for Dr. Louis Thabault as a receptionist and at McAuliffe's in Burlington, VT. She was a devoted Catholic and a parishioner of St. Francis Xavier's Church and belonged to the Mother's Club and St. Anne's Society as well as the Winooski Historical Society. After she retired, she spent many years as a volunteer at the Winooski Library and The Converse Home.
Thérèse was an avid knitter, most always found with a pair of needles in her hands, making socks, hats, mittens, sweaters, and blankets for her family and friends along with an accomplishment of knitting hundreds of sweaters for children in need. She also loved to be outside. In the summer, you could always find her reading under her favorite maple tree at her home and later in her life in the gardens at The Converse Home.
Thérèse was always happiest when her family was together. She lived for holiday gatherings and birthday parties, especially hers! She was the only member of her family who emigrated to the United States but remained proud of her Canadian heritage. Her children were raised bi-lingual, her doorbell rang to the tune of Frère Jacques, and she never missed the chance to speak French. Thérèse's family will miss her unwavering love, gift of gab, inquisitive nature, laughter, zest for life and humor most as they continue without her.
Thérèse is predeceased by her parents, husband and siblings, her brothers Maurice Therrien and his wife Therese, Jean Pierre Therrien and his wife Denise, her brother Guy Therrien, her brother Benoit Therrien and his wife Lilliane, her sister Pierette Dagenais and her husband Jean Louis and her son-in-law Alfred Brunelle. She will continue to be loved and remembered by her devoted children Louise Brunelle (Mansfield) of Williston, VT and David Mansfield and his wife Aline of Milton, VT, her sister-in-law Georgeline Therrien, her four grandchildren and great grandchildren Justin Mansfield and his wife Sarah and their daughters Elise and Caroline, Renee Moore and her husband Nick and their children Liam and Adele, Scott Brunelle, Susan Brunelle and her daughter Olivia. Thérèse will also be remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Thérèse's family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and dedicated nurses and staff at The Converse Home who cared for her every week and ensured that she aged and passed with grace, dignity, and respect.
Services and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Arrangement are in the care of LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main Street, Winooski, VT 05404.