LEWISTON – Theresa Rose (Lessard) Martel, 79, of 131 Summit Ave., died Monday, July 4, after a six-year battle with cardiac disease. She died peacefully after spending the day with family, friends and neighbors.

She was born in Lewiston on May 3, 1926, the daughter of Henry and Mary Farrell Lessard.

She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1944 and attended Auburn Maine School of Commerce and worked in the office of Shapiro Brothers before starting her family.

On Oct. 22, 1949, she married Fernand J. Martel. He predeceased her on Dec. 16, 2001.

She was very active in St. Patrick’s Parish. She worked as a Sacristan at St. Patrick’s for 27 years and was the manager of the St. Vincent De Paul for almost three years before her illness forced her into retirement. She served terms on the Parish Council and was twice elected as the Prefect of the Rosary Sodality. She also headed the Silver Liners and coordinated many trips for St. Patrick’s Seniors.

She was a dedicated and devoted wife of 52 years. Her love of family, friends, and her faith was only paralleled by her lifelong love of the Boston Red Sox. She was a diehard fan who maintained a running commentary throughout every televised game. She had planned to see them again in person on Aug. 14. She will be greatly missed by many people who were blessed to have her in their lives.

She is survived by two sons, David and his wife, Sharon, and Michael of Lewiston; two daughters Kathleen and her husband, Lenny Bilier, of Lewiston, and Nancy and her husband, Dr. John Tully, of New Britain, Conn.; two beloved granddaughters, Lynn Bilier of Lewiston, and Erin Tully of New Britain, Conn.; two stepgranddaughters, Kelly and Amy Mailhot of Lisbon and Portland.

She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Judith, in 1951.

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