Theresa R. Bourassa

1947 – 2009

GLENBURN — Theresa “Terry” R. (DeAngelis) Bourassa, 62, passed away peacefully at a Bangor nursing home on Nov. 10 after a courageous 5-year battle with cancer. She was surrounded in love by her family, hospice caregivers, and many, many, friends.

Famous for her saying “long story short,” her life was indeed a story that was far too short.

Terry was born in Lewiston on March 2, 1947, the daughter of Mary (Couture) and Herman DeAngelis. She attended Lewiston schools and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1965. After attending Farmington State Teachers College for a year, she went on to train at Central Maine General Hospital and became a Certified Nurse’s Aide. This began an exciting and rewarding career in the medical field, including a stint as a surgical technician in a Bangor operating room.While in Bangor, Terry also served for 6 years with the Air National Guard, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.

In addition to working full-time and maintaining an apartment, Terry returned to college part-time in 1982 at the University of Maine at Augusta. She received her Associate Degree in Social Services in 1989. She continued on with her college studies at the University of Maine at Farmington and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education in 1995.

Terry met her husband John in 1984 and they were married on July 27, 1985. They travelled to many parts of the state and the country with John’s work assignments. They lived at various times in Auburn, Westbrook, Atlanta, Ga., China, Me., Winslow, and most recently Glenburn. Despite the disruptions caused by moving and having to find new jobs, Terry always went willingly. More recently John and Terry had taken an annual 2-week vacation in Aruba to break up the winter in Maine. They were all special, but this year’s trip was extra special because the kids and grandkids got to go as well.

Wherever they went Terry made cherished friends in her neighborhood, her workplace, and her church where she was a lifelong Catholic. Terry’s home was always her favorite place to be. She loved her flower gardens, her butterflies, her birds, and when they lived on China Lake the loons other creatures that would visit their home. She liked to cruise in their antique cars and especially loved to ride in her ’65 Mustang convertible, “Poppy”. Terry loved to cook for her friends and family, especially when her grandchildren Cooper and Avery were helping. Terry also loved to help others, serving in volunteer positions with organizations in Waterville, Fairfield, Bangor, and Dover-Foxcroft. Her most recent volunteer activity was with Hospice, devoting hundreds of hours to that program in several communities. Terry and her dear friend Erin Callaway were the project initiation coordinators tasked with organizing the Evergreen project for Pine Tree Hospice in Dover-Foxcroft. This project was to set up a source of help for children who are grieving over the loss of a significant family member, and Terry’s dedication to this project is a true example of the compassionate, spiritual, and faith-filled life that Terry lived. She truly was an inspiration for all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband of 24 years and best friend John; her stepdaughters, who consider themselves to be daughters, Lynne Bourassa of Bangor and Leslie Nelson of Dover-Foxcroft; son-in law Jeff Nelson of Dover-Foxcroft; cherished grandchildren Avery and Cooper Nelson of Dover-Foxcroft; siblings Charlie DeAngelis of Lewiston and Mary Walker of Kennebunkport and their families; sisters-in law Jean Sleeper of Cherry Valley, Calif., and Carole Clark of Plano, Texas; and a legion of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, all of whom loved her dearly. Terry is also survived by a special cousin, Louise Hamilton whom she considered to be an adopted sister. The old saying “the only friend she didn’t have was the one she hadn’t met” truly applied to Terry.

Terry was predeceased by her parents, grandparents, and mother and father-in-law.

The family wishes to thank the many care providers involved with
Terry’s disease for the past 5 years, especially CancerCare of Maine,
St. Joseph’s Hospice, and the staff at Stillwater Health Care.

BOURASSA — Theresa R., 62, of Bangor died Nov. 10. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Brookings-Smith Funeral Home, 133 Center Street, Bangor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at St. Paul the Apostle, St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York Street, Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center Street, Bangor, following the service. Interment will be at a later date at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. The family has requested that donations be made to either the Hospice programs at St. Joseph’s Hospice, Pine Tree Hospice, or to a favorite charity, particularly one involved in cancer research. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.