Teresa M. Rivers

LEHIGH, Fla. – On Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021, Theresa M. Rivers of Lehigh Acres, Fla. entered eternal rest at the age of 92.
Theresa is survived by all five of her children, Gerald (Roxanne) Sands Junior, Donna (Martin) Ferris, Danny (Liliette) Sands, Michael E. Sands, Kathy (Alec) Ellias, and her stepdaughter Roswitha P. Leach; along with an abundance of wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Emile and Albertine (Blaze) Martineau; her brothers, Lucien, Roger and Leo, and her sisters, Murielle Turmenne and Laurette Ouelette.

Theresa was born on Nov. 22, 1929, in Lewiston, Maine. She held many occupations throughout her lifetime, including factory and millwork in Lewiston/Auburn, cleaning and caretaking in Lee County, Fla., and she often volunteered at the first Baptist Church of Lehigh Acres, Fla., to lead prayer groups and manage the preschool during Sunday school hours. So she worked in offices, schools, in the home of those she cared for, her favorite place of employment was the Lewiston/Auburn Clark shoe Company factory, where she had many fond memories of working alongside friends, and experienced a feeling of pride and accomplishment from helping produce shoes that would protect the feet of women and children.
She loved miracles and snap dragons, ice-skating, rollerskating, gardening, traveling, and in 1977, she re-dedicated her life to serving the Lord. Her favorite song was beloved Christian hymn “How Great Thou Art”, and she never cease to be awed by the sudden appearance and beauty of a rainbow.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Theresa M. Rivers at Winslow Park Freeport, Maine, on June 22, 2022, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

“ It is not now as it hath been of yore;
Turn wheresoe’er I may,
By night or day,
The things which I have seen I now can see no more.
The rainbow comes and goes…”-William Wordsworth