Therese D. Lessard

BIDDEFORD – Therese D. Lessard, of Biddeford, passed away on June 13, 2024. She was born on Sept. 22, 1939, to Arthur and Adrienne (Gosselin) Brunelle. Therese attended Biddeford schools and graduated from St. Joseph High School, class of 1958.

On Sept. 7, 1959, Therese married Donald L. Lessard. Together, they had 10 children. Therese dedicated most of her adult life to raising her children. She also spent time working at several area businesses: Edward’s Market, Haley’s Tire, and Prestige House of Flowers in Biddeford; Hay and Peabody in Portland; and Hannaford Bros. Co. offices in Scarborough.

Therese enjoyed sewing and quilting, which included teaching these skills to many of her daughters and granddaughters. She also enjoyed creating photo albums and traveling around the U.S. and to other countries with her husband, Donald.

She was an active member of St. Joseph Church, serving as lector and eucharistic minister, teaching faith formation, serving on different parish committees, helping refugees settle in the area, and was very involved with the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Association. She was a La Leche League leader and the coordinator for the House of St. Joseph, an organization that provided household items to people in need.

Therese was a survivor of breast cancer. Therese’s final gift was the donation of her body to the University of New England’s Anatomical Donation program.

Therese was predeceased by her parents; brother Rev. Richard Brunelle; and sister C. Anne-Marie Brunelle.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Donald; her children: Anne Wilson and husband David of Middletown, Conn.; Jocelyn Macolini and husband David of Kennebunk, Richard D. Lessard and wife Janice of Arundel; Philip A. Lessard and wife Jennifer of Framingham, Mass.; Charles S. Lessard and wife Melissa of Alstead, N.H.; Michelle Lessard of Biddeford; Steven P. Lessard and wife Shanon of Seattle; Rae Ann Herbert and husband Joshua of Biddeford; Christopher M. Lessard and wife Jennifer of Nazareth, Pa.; and Amy Beveridge and husband John of Saco; 26 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother Jacques Brunelle and wife Helen of Long Beach, Calif.; sisters, Claire Brunelle of Biddeford; Cecile Petrin of Somersworth, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 4-7 p.m., at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St, Biddeford, ME 04005. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024, at St. Joseph Church in Biddeford at 11 a.m. Committal in St. Joseph Cemetery will be private.

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